A Good Person
A Good Person (2023)
I stated clearly that these “reviews” (or let’s call them “thoughts on film”) were distinctly subjective. And no more so than here. Anyway, put the kettle on, I’m going in deep. Let’s go back three years to a lovely heatwave and a surreal way of life called Lockdown.
As part of maintaining my sanity I would go for long walks. Often for four hours at a time. The routine kept me in shape and mentally stable. Something else which kept me anchored in some semblance of routine was the advent of the podcast Fake Doctors Real Friends, whereby Zach Braff and Donald Faison rewatched episodes of their sitcom Scrubs and recall all manner of hilarity about the filming process. What a stabilising joy in an otherwise wonky world we were experiencing. During the course of the next three years Braff has mentioned how he was writing something new. Then he was shooting it. And well, now it’s here. My point being, how could I possibly judge this objectively? It’s like a mate has produced it.
Fortunately, the film is solid. It’s good. I did fear it would be a touch too schmaltzy. Alas, it works. Phew.
Florence Pugh plays Allie, living a worryingly perfect life until she glances at her maps app on her phone while driving and ends up in a crash which kills her fiancé’s sister. Understandably her life spirals into depression and addiction and she finds herself at the same Narcotics Anonymous meeting as her would-be father-in-law Daniel, played by Morgan Freeman. He is a retired cop, an alcoholic and the sole guardian of his wayward granddaughter.
In spite of obvious challenges, an unlikely friendship develops as Daniel teaches a suicidal Allie about acceptance and forgiveness.
Pugh, of course, is pure charisma with talent in her teeth. She can turn her hand to anything (evidently, songwriting and piano playing too) and carries the film with her relatable performance. Watch her deep expressive eyes grapple with every single punch to the gut Allie takes. And she takes a lot; the forced reunion with her ex fiancé and his new girlfriend is particularly nauseating.
The film dips its toe into the absurd with a gun-toting showdown at a party, but that aside it’s an affecting showcase of great acting and a reasonable excuse to have a good cry.
Braff recounts on his podcast, a moment when he asked Bon Iver to contribute an original song. Upon completion, an unsure Braff said the song wasn’t quite right. Iver stood his ground and explained that this song was a representation of what he felt at the time of viewing the film and therefore faithful. Humbled, Braff accepted the song and preaches this fable to the likes of me. My point in rehashing this anecdote is that this isn’t a perfect film. It has the odd flaw. However, this is a truthful and beautiful piece of art.
A film about kindness, understanding and love. Is there anything more violently poignant than a love story where the two simply can’t be together? Ugh.
7 “that’s what I’m talking about” Thumbs Up! 👍🏻
