As a seasoned moviegoer who has seen his fair share of films, I must admit that “Goodrich” left me feeling like I had just watched a sitcom-turned-soap opera blend that was as sugary as a box of powdered donuts. Michael Keaton, in my humble opinion, shines brightly amidst this sea of clichés and unrealistic dialogue.
As a movie enthusiast, I found myself engrossed in the melodramatic comedy titled “Goodrich,” where a 73-year-old man, played by Michael Keaton, experiences a midlife crisis. The film is predictable, filled with one-dimensional characters and dialogue that strays from reality. In this movie, the owner of a struggling art gallery finds himself unexpectedly raising his young children when his second wife flees to rehab. To add to the chaos, his pregnant adult daughter feels neglected by his sudden focus on her half-siblings. It’s as if I was watching a mashup of a sitcom and a soap opera, with an overly sweet taste lingering long after the credits roll.
In the realm of cinema, I find myself compelled to share my thoughts on the gripping drama, “The Unexpected Call.” In this poignant tale, our protagonist, Andy Goodrich (Keaton), receives an unsettling late-night phone call that shatters the tranquility of his opulent modern abode. On the other end of the line is his wife, Naomi (Laura Benanti). To my astonishment, she confesses to a harrowing addiction to drugs, and her decision to check into an upscale rehabilitation center for a 90-day stay.
Naomi criticizes him harshly for neglecting his duties as a father and husband, as he is too engrossed in his business to notice obvious issues. Before ending the call, she challenges him. For the next three months, it falls on Andy to look after their nine-year-old twins, signaling that it’s high time for him to take responsibility and be more involved in his children’s lives.
Goodrich Strains Credulity with Its Setup Alone
Andy hurries to Malibu following an urgent phone call to their babysitter. He’s shocked when the place refuses to let him meet his spouse. Naomi had forbidden any communication. His anxiety grows when he receives a call from the school principal about the twins being forgotten. Meanwhile, at the doctor’s office, his daughter Grace (played by Mila Kunis) focuses on her baby’s ultrasound, disregarding her father’s repeated phone calls.
In the movie directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer (“Home Again”), the character Naomi leaves her cherished children in the care of a father who has no prior experience with childcare. The storyline implies that Naomi is experiencing a breakdown and intends for Andy to learn genuine parenting through a baptism by fire. While this plot may work theoretically, it seems implausible for a mother who has been their primary caregiver since birth. A more credible scenario would have been if Naomi left the children with someone she trusts, but unfortunately, this would disrupt the film’s main narrative.
Andy’s financial troubles cast a shadow over his family’s predicament. Despite being a relatively small gallery, it resides in a spacious two-story office building, housing numerous employees – almost equivalent to a Best Buy. His friend and business advisor, Sy (Kevin Pollak), cautions against taking on any more debt as they risk losing everything. However, Andy is reluctant to reduce operations due to his long association with the place and unwillingness to let go of his staff. This decision, while admirable, stretches the bounds of believability when considering practicality.
A Good Father-Daughter Relationship (And a Great Vivien Lyra Blair)
The most admirable part about Goodrich lies in his bond with Grace, his daughter from a previous marriage. He has always held a deep affection for her, yet, similar to his current crop of children, he was absent during her formative years. Grace’s feelings of resentment and abandonment are understandable. It’s frustrating for her that no one stepped up to help when she needed it as a child, only to find herself having to assist with the twins now. Despite her helpfulness, Grace harbors legitimate anger and a touch of jealousy due to not receiving the attention she deserved. To make matters worse, Andy often mixes up her name with Billie, his younger daughter.
Blair is a captivating character who isn’t afraid to challenge her father over his errors, and seems skeptical about the fabricated account he presents regarding her mother’s unexpected absence. Known for portraying the young Princess Leia in the Obi-Wan Kenobi miniseries on Disney+, Blair exudes a powerful on-screen charisma. However, she significantly outshines her brother Mose (Jacob Kopera), who primarily serves as a prop and carries little significance or dialogue within the storyline.
A Slog with Unrealistic Monologues
Goodrich’s main issue lies in the fact that every character delivers an over-the-top soliloquy during their emotional climax, resembling a jazz band where each member takes a lengthy solo to show off their skills. While this might work well for a performance in a smoky lounge, it comes across as forced and unrealistic here. The predictability of when each actor will take center stage to reveal their personal issues is almost like having a violin playing simultaneously for added comic relief. Meyers-Shyer could have used music more effectively to enhance the comedy instead.
Keaton may not single-handedly rescue the movie due to his charming personality alone. He’s a well-known actor with a loyal fanbase who is always welcomed in any role. Because of this, we tend to trust him and appreciate his star power. However, Andy’s predictable path towards fatherly success feels overly sentimental, even with Keaton’s best efforts. The film “Goodrich” is a production by C2 Motion Picture Group and Stay Gold Features. It will be distributed theatrically by Ketchup Entertainment starting October 18th.
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2024-10-17 23:01