Good Girl Review and Discussion

[Denise]

Like many here I was very anxious for this to come out on video. I adore Jennifer Aniston and couldn't wait to see this movie. Well we rented it last night. I guess DH and I just didn't "get it". I was very confused as to what exactly Jennifer's character wanted and was trying to accomplish. Also, the story line was extremely predictable (ok 1 part did surprise me). DH and I were really disapointed Did anyone else see this? Did you like it? Can you explain it to me?

[RebeccaT]

I didn't really enjoy it.

Here's what I got out of it. There's this person who is floating through life, trying to do the right things because they are expected of her and she is basically a good person. But she can't "feel" anything - she is numb. She has lost the spark that makes her look forward to what's going to happen next, because she doesn't think anything will happen next. She becomes completely inwardly focused.

She has what she sees as an opportunity to plunge headfirst into an "experience." She starts to feel sensations again - pleasure, fear, joy, pain. She comes out of her fog at some point, though, and realizes that what she is doing is not "good," it has the potential to hurt many people. So, being a "good girl," she tries to minimize that hurt for the person she realizes she cares about the most, her husband. However, her attempts backfire, and she actually hurts everyone (coworker, husband, husband's friend, lover). She still sees herself as a victim, however, not as the initiator of all of this pain. The conclusion comes about when she finally appreciates the life she has, which is "good."

I found this movie to be very unsatisfying. I do think that Jennifer Anniston was incredible in it; she totally recreated herself and was the "anti-Rachel." But I hated the helplessness of all of the characters, and I just wanted to scream at them "Get off your a** and do something about it if you're that miserable!"

Anyone else have thoughts?

[Chefzhat]

I loved this movie! Rebecca's explanation of the movie is right on, except that I felt that the whole premise of the movie was based on the basic inertia of the "Walmart" class - inability to make decisions, her's my life it won't get better or worse; same old, same old, etc. No education so no real way to get ahead. Good girl grabs a chance with a boy who sounds like someone totally different, and in the end finds out he's the same kind of jerk she's already married to, just different interests. So the whole premise was "the only that that stays the same is that everything changes". That was my take on it, anyway. And since I grew up in a very small town with limited opportunity, I really picked up on what the producer and writer was trying to accomplish.

Anyway, loved the movie and J was very, very good in it. I'm no big fan of hers, but am sort of curious as to what she will accomplish in her lifetime with her acting - she has potential.

Debie

[Meg O'C]

Went to the video store tonight (on a last minute whim) to rent this suspecting that all the copies would be out - they were! So, I can't contribute yet but I do hope to see this real soon so I will chime in with my thoughts after I do. From what I know of the movie, the plot actually sounds a little depressing and the clips I remember seeing when it was being promoted in the theaters made it seem a bit depressing too. However I am big fan of Jennifer Aniston's so the excellent reviews she has received for this and the opportunity to see her in a role other than Rachel or a Rachel-type role are what are driving me to see this movie.

[Molli526]

I wouldn't say I loved this movie, but it was interesting. Debie and Rebecca, I think you hit the nail on the had with your descriptions. DH was frustrated as well that she just didn't do something about it, but that wasn't Justine. I told him rememeber, she said she didn't go to college in fear of losing Phil.

Jennifer Aniston did a great a job.

I was just so thankful that wasn't the life I live!

[1MegMeg]

I loved this movie!

I was very pleased to see Jennifer Aniston in a mature and thought-provoking role. Debie & Rebecca are right on with their analysis of the movie.

In The Good Girl, Justine (J Aniston) wanted to do and be different, yet did not have the means to nor know how to. However, there was the notion, just as there sometimes is in "real life", that the grass is always greener on the other side. I think that was part of Justine's belief when she had her affair Holden. She believed that this was her opportunity for a different and new life, however, things were't really any different. Holden was no different than Phil - as Debie said, he is the same jerk just different interests. Just as in "real life", the notion of the grass being greener didn't hold true in The Good Girl either.

That is just one of the many concepts I pulled out of this movie. Again, I loved it and definitely recommend it!