GOODRICH Review — Michael Keaton Brings It Home
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Goodrich review says the Michael Keaton vehicle is deeper and more universal than your average dramady.
On the surface, Goodrich might seem like a light-hearted modern family dramady starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, with notable supporting performances from Andie MacDowell, Kevin Pollak, Michael Urie and the extremely promising young Vivian Lyra Blair.
But scratch the surface, as I can’t help but doing, and you’ll find it has a profound, universal message.
Keaton plays Andy Goodrich, the owner of a floundering modern art gallery, whose second wife up and left him for rehab and for good. She also left him with the unfamiliar responsibility of the care and feeding of a pair of precocious, nine-year-old twins.
Meanwhile, Andy’s 30-something daughter from his first marriage (Kunis) is dealing with her first pregnancy and the bitterness stemming from her belief that her father was unavailable when she was growing up, and has now abandoned her for his new family. She’s not wrong.
The previously clueless Andy now must scramble to save both his old and new families, as well as his business.
He’s more successful at some of those endeavors than others.
Keaton is sympathetic perfection as he tries to rectify past mistakes that everyone else is far more aware of than he is.
Goodrich review —authenticity shines through
Director/screenwriter Hallie Meyers-Shyer (Home Again), daughter of domestic comedy queen Nancy Meyers and filmmaker Charles Shyer, admits that she drew on some of her own experiences when penning the script, and her authenticity comes through. Okay, so the characters are far more glib and well spoken than they are in real life, but the movie does aim for the entertainment factor, and adroitly hits the mark.
Although the story of a middle aged man who has sacrificed family for profession may seem like an old one, in Goodrich it’s dealt with in a particularly moving way that I resonated with. Be careful, or you just may find yourself taking a few steps back from your busy life and asking yourself what really matters.
I know it inspired me to do some soul searching.
Yes Goodrich is an independent, but it’s been produced like a major studio-backed release in that there are no rough edges. It’s artfully crafted with clear aesthetics, warm humor and an engaging storyline.
I can’t tell you when Goodrich will be playing in a theater near you, or when it will be available on your favorite streamer. But when it does, I can tell you it’s definitely worth your time, money and introspection.
Rated R
1 Hour 51 Minutes
If this Goodrich review piques your interest, find times and tickets at Fandango.com.
Lisa Johnson Mandell’s Goodrich review says the Michael Keaton vehicle is deeper and more universal than your average dramady.
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