As a gamer with a soft spot for nostalgia and a keen interest in Hollywood history, I can confidently say that “Johnny Be Good” is one of those movies that should be skipped during a Robert Downey Jr. marathon. While it may hold a special place in the annals of teen cinema, its failed attempts at satire and general lack of quality make it a tough watch even for die-hard RDJ fans.
This article contains discussions of addiction and sexual assault.
Currently, Robert Downey Jr.’s acting career is thriving quite significantly; however, it’s important to note that he has also starred in some less successful films. One such film even garnered a dismal 0% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Since his debut in the 80s movies like “Weird Science” and “Less Than Zero,” which were part of the Brat Pack, Robert Downey Jr., whose famous father also had a Hollywood career, has been a significant figure in the film industry. Despite some personal struggles and questionable film choices, he has managed to maintain his status. Interestingly, according to movie review aggregators, his 1988 comedy “Johnny Be Good,” co-starring fellow Brat Packer Anthony Michael Hall, is considered his worst film. This is noteworthy considering it’s in competition with other critically panned movies such as “Friends and Lovers” (7%), “Gothika” (15%), “Dolittle” (2020) and “The Shaggy Dog” (2006), all of which received similar low ratings.
Why isn’t the film “Johnny Be Good” highly regarded… and what exactly is its subject matter? What have been the reviews by critics about it? And did Robert Downey Jr.’s acting career bounce back following this undeniable flop? (Yes, it most certainly did. He’s thriving now.)
What is Johnny Be Good even about?
It appears you’re asking about a film featuring Robert Downey Jr., titled “Johnny Be Good.” In this movie, Anthony Michael Hall portrays Johnny Walker, an exceptional high school quarterback sought after by numerous colleges. The story revolves around Johnny making a significant decision regarding where to continue his education. His best friend Leo Wiggins (played by Downey Jr.) and girlfriend Georgia Elkans (Uma Thurman) add complexity to the situation, as Georgia encourages Johnny to join her at State University, while Leo advises him to explore offers from various institutions to maximize his athletic potential.
Johnny is told that taking gifts and almost bribes might lead to trouble, but he has more pressing issues soon after getting trapped in a difficult situation and being accused of sexual assault, along with Leo, by Georgia’s father, Chief Elkans, and his corrupt coach, Wayne Hisler. With his reputation tarnished, Johnny is essentially compelled to join Piermont, where they recently employed Hisler specifically to recruit him. In the end, Chief Elkans and Coach Hisler’s wrongdoings are uncovered, and Johnny decides he wants to attend college and play football occasionally instead of making it his sole priority. This trio – Johnny, Georgia, and Leo – then enroll at State University. However, the outcome isn’t particularly favorable, as critics were quick to point out.
Critics really, really didn’t like Johnny Be Good
Over the years following the release of “Johnny Be Good,” critics generally expressed strong disdain for the film. As Michael Wilmington from the Los Angeles Times stated in 2019, “‘Johnny Be Good,’ a supposed satire on the excesses of college football recruiting, is so poorly executed that it might be used as a form of discipline by the NCAA for coaches who break regulations.” Dave Kehr of The Chicago Tribune also shared this view, writing in the same year that “the screenplay contains some intentions reminiscent of Robert Altman’s satirical style, where the wildly corrupt college football recruitment process is depicted as a broad image of American greed.
2000 called, and I answered back then as a gamer: “In 2000, watching this movie felt like a slap in the face. The creators should be ashamed for putting out such an underwhelming production. I can’t help but wonder if they even bothered to try.” (I wouldn’t have given it more than half a star.)
Thankfully, Robert Downey Jr.’s career recovered — from his personal troubles and Johnny Be Good
To clarify, Robert Downey Jr.’s career not only survived after “Johnny Be Good”, but it flourished despite his encounters with legal troubles and substance abuse issues that followed the movie. These challenges, including multiple drug-related arrests and battles with addiction to drugs like cocaine and heroin, occurred between 1996 and 2003. However, it’s important to note that these problems may not have been directly linked to “Johnny Be Good”. After several years of rehabilitation and legal issues, Downey Jr. achieved sobriety in 2003 and has maintained it ever since.
Due to some negative publicity and legal troubles, Robert Downey Jr.’s image in Hollywood wasn’t the best. However, when he joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Tony Stark in 2008’s “Iron Man,” it provided him with a significant career comeback. He portrayed Tony Stark until the character’s demise in “Avengers: Endgame” in 2019, but he’ll be back in the Marvel Universe as Doctor Doom in films like “The Fantastic Four: First Steps,” “Avengers: Doomsday,” and “Avengers: Secret Wars,” slated for 2025, 2026, and 2027 respectively. In 2024, he reached a remarkable achievement by winning his first Academy Award for the film “Oppenheimer.” Essentially, if you’re planning a Robert Downey Jr. movie marathon, you might want to give “Johnny Be Good” a miss.
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2024-09-17 04:00