Review: Goodrich Is The Perfect Cozy Film
Director and writer, Hallie Meyers-Shyer returns with her sophomore film, Goodrich. The film tells the tale of a middle age art dealer, Andy Goodrich (Michael Keaton), whose second wife unexpectedly checked herself into a ninety-day rehab center. Now finding himself a single dad to ten-year-old twins, Goodrich must come to terms with all the things he has been missing whilst focusing on his career. As always, it’s never easy to accept one’s pitfalls or failures, but with the help of his pregnant daughter from his first marriage, Grace (Mila Kunis), it might be easier than he thinks.
Meyers-Shyer brings to life a charming and heart-warming piece with Goodrich. The story focuses on Andy’s “midlife crisis” idea, but in a very realistic way. There’s no flashy convertible or dating of a younger person, but a true look at someone analyzing the choices they have made thus far in their life and the consequences for those decisions. Goodrich, like many of our own parental figures, has been focused on his job, which has unfortunately has taken precedent over the raising of his daughter, Grace, his marriages, and so much more. It’s a familiar world for many of us who watched our own parents come in at late hours a night, forget a lunch, or consistently call you by your siblings’ names. But what she does differently in this piece compared to so many others, is she showcases a natural growth within Goodrich as the film progresses without any splashy monologues or confessions. Audiences see the growth through his actions, like remembering his daughter, Billie’s favorite type of cookie. This minor detail was something that he would never have remembered when audiences first met him.
Keaton shines in this film. His natural charm and comedic timing is perfection when it comes to bringing Goodrich’s joyous, everything’s “OK” persona too life. Kunis does a wonderful job at playing Goodrich’s eldest daughter, Grace. She is tasked with one of the more emotional moments of the film, and delivered the scene beautifully. A true stand out for me though was Vivien Lyra Blair, who played Goodrich’s second daughter, Billie. She brought so much joy to the film, and her ability to act alongside Keaton was fun to watch.
On these cold winter weeks, a film like Goodrich is a good way to warm the heart. It is a charming, good feel family film that showcases human nature and maturity without any bells and whistles.