Goodrich: Michael Keaton's midlife crisis Masterpiece!
Goodrich: A Midlife Crisis Comedy That Hits All the Right Notes
Goodrich opens with a bang (literally!). Michael Keaton as Andy Goodrich is jolted awake by his wife, Naomi (Laura Benanti), dropping a bombshell: she's entering a 90-day rehab program...and leaving him. Talk about a jarring start! Andy is totally blindsided. He had absolutely no idea Naomi was battling prescription pill addiction! This opening sets the tone. The film isn't afraid to jump right into the chaos of Andy's life, immediately grabbing the audience by its perfectly depicted confusion and unexpected developments. The movie keeps the atmosphere tense but doesn’t hold back on the emotional depth which helps to establish exactly what will happen later and the sheer uncertainty involved. It’s as if the whole film drops the viewer right into his messy, emotionally charged, utterly tumultuous situation which serves as that amazing point where he must take stock and finally start to realize the problems present in his world; making this extremely dramatic, chaotic introduction intensely appealing, engaging those audiences instantly!
That initial uncertainty was completely justified; because this initial fear and that tension of completely changing lives immediately creates interest from the viewer. We initially see Andy's struggles in that frantic rush to manage everything; the total lack of ability to understand what’s really happening which shows an incredibly realistic approach for such kinds of traumatic moments! Yet the brilliance from this approach showcases that Goodrich finds its own unique style, developing a compelling emotional narrative blended perfectly with fantastic comedic timing. It uses familiar ground but those emotional beats resonate strongly; we immediately connect with Andy’s experiences and these expertly rendered sequences fully fulfill its central promises throughout this incredibly emotional and human experience; highlighting the sheer realism found even amidst moments that can be both confusing and challenging; making this very unexpected and surprisingly heartfelt midlife crisis a joy to watch! It keeps that engaging element from the beginning and generates those incredible emotions to support that main narrative throughout!
A Family Under Stress: More Than Just a Midlife Crisis
Writer-director Hallie Meyers-Shyer clearly intended Andy's family dynamics to drive the narrative. Naomi's departure adds huge complexities; because we immediately understand the kind of instability that occurs when major problems come to affect that very family system; it involves Naomi—his much younger second wife—along with their nine-year-old twins, Billie and Mose (Vivien Lyra Blair and Jacob Kopera) now needing a father's support. He has his elder daughter, Grace (Mila Kunis) as well, who’s expecting her first child; immediately giving many levels and different generational dynamics. This isn’t merely a typical midlife crisis, creating a much more nuanced approach!
This is the film’s more straightforward element, showcasing this relatively typical and predictable storyline which presents this relatively simpler set of changes; which aren’t exactly original. But despite that, it gets brilliantly handled. The relatively calm, understated manner it is told shows this great emotional storytelling and avoids anything that might’ve been too forced or melodramatic; leaving an immensely human quality in those interactions between them that viewers will immediately see and accept. That being said however; the moments showing the relationship between Andy and Grace feel extremely predictable from early on – their relationship dynamics were very clear from her early reactions – and is something easily recognized which doesn't ultimately add a massive sense of surprise or other significant details for most.
Michael Keaton's Brilliant Performance: The Heart of Goodrich
Goodrich's greatest strength? Michael Keaton’s performance! It makes every aspect shine! He carries that self-examination and layers it seamlessly throughout those different events; showing how emotionally fragile Andy is while constantly conveying that journey towards understanding his life and its deep impact upon other characters involved, highlighting his evolution throughout this emotional experience. Each action, every interaction; shows an unraveling as he learns to respond to others for the very first time, and this moment becomes absolutely fascinating, as each aspect in those unexpected situations produces truly unique insights!
This is what truly carries the entire film forward: that emotional journey of Andy; a nuanced portrayal; capturing the vulnerabilities of the male archetype of this fatherhood experience; showing just how profoundly affected the man truly is; his immense flaws highlighted early in those traumatic initial experiences of discovering his wife's addictions! Yet Goodrich doesn’t reach those intense dramatic peaks, for instance it lacks the complex and layered questioning featured in movies like Sofia Coppola's On the Rocks; which makes for that feeling of slightly less satisfying character growth and conclusion – the intensity of those feelings involving Grace, especially her emotional climax lacks a proper buildup and feels almost unfulfilling due to that rather quickly resolved plot which lacks sufficient preparation that makes its realization disappointing. The ending doesn't generate enough intense emotions, resulting in that unresolved conclusion.
Conclusion: A Worthwhile, If Somewhat Unconventional, Journey
Goodrich is definitely worth watching. Keaton delivers one of his very best performances – and the story is extremely emotional and satisfying despite certain points not reaching the peak expectations that might otherwise have been possible. It presents the kind of midlife crisis most will readily recognize and those flaws become immediately obvious, bringing a heartfelt portrayal of Andy's journey toward understanding himself, and his flawed but very human reactions within various unexpected situations.
