Reviews, critics, etc..
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Another kind review
http://www.lastmovies.tv/2009/01/21/good/
Jason Isaacs gives a similarly powerful performance as Maurice, Halder’s Jewish therapist and close friend and the film’s most poignant emotional hook. As Maurice is gradually stripped of his privileges, rights, freedom and dignity step by step, equally outraged by his friend’s involvement in the affiliation condemning him, Isaacs transforms from casually confident to beaten down but fiercely outraged, coming alight with fiery intensity.
http://www.lastmovies.tv/2009/01/21/good/
Jason Isaacs gives a similarly powerful performance as Maurice, Halder’s Jewish therapist and close friend and the film’s most poignant emotional hook. As Maurice is gradually stripped of his privileges, rights, freedom and dignity step by step, equally outraged by his friend’s involvement in the affiliation condemning him, Isaacs transforms from casually confident to beaten down but fiercely outraged, coming alight with fiery intensity.
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From Monsters and Critics:
"Halder’s best friend is Maurice. The two served together in WW I and have their share of bitter experiences to bind them. But none as cowardly as the paper-hanger Nazi regime was about to release in the form of the Holocaust. Maurice fought for his country and was as German as anyone else regardless of their religion. In a very macho portrayal of a future victim, he refused to leave the country he considered his homeland even as it was systematically stripping him of his humanity. Finally for Maurice and many others it was too late too leave. Halder is his last hope."
While not enthusiastic about the movie, the review is at least thoughtful, and remarks on several qualities I haven't read addressed in other criticisms--the use of wind throughout the exterior shots, for example.
"Halder’s best friend is Maurice. The two served together in WW I and have their share of bitter experiences to bind them. But none as cowardly as the paper-hanger Nazi regime was about to release in the form of the Holocaust. Maurice fought for his country and was as German as anyone else regardless of their religion. In a very macho portrayal of a future victim, he refused to leave the country he considered his homeland even as it was systematically stripping him of his humanity. Finally for Maurice and many others it was too late too leave. Halder is his last hope."
While not enthusiastic about the movie, the review is at least thoughtful, and remarks on several qualities I haven't read addressed in other criticisms--the use of wind throughout the exterior shots, for example.
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3grannybear wrote:I think the movie would have done better if it was released at some other time of year. Too many movies with the Holocaust theme out right now. It got lost in the crowd.
I agree with you! The Reader, Defiance, Boy with the Stripped Pijamas (sorry if I got the title wrong) and others have completely overshadowed "Good"
and talking bout The Reader, I went to see it. Girls, you have to see it. It's so good. Too good, and Kate Winslet...oh Kate...what a great actress she is. The actress of her generation.
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I was doing a quick search to see if there was any info about Good opening in Toronto. I came across this:
click
I did a quick scan of this thread and didn't see this interview on ComingSoon.net.
Also, I don't have time to read it as I'm leaving work in five minutes.
Hilary edited to add:
"Mortensen is as good as always, but it's Isaacs' performance that really impressed us, as he creates an emotionally-charged portrayal of a wealthy and successful German-Jewish professional whose rights and livelihood are taken away as his friend's life continues to improve.
" . . . So I [Jason Isaacs] found this experience overwhelming and why I was interested in Maurice, because he wasn't a victim and because I don't judge Maurice and I don't judge Viggo's character because I think I might have made the very same rationalization. It was just this party of extremists who were doing a lot of great things in Germany, some stuff they found repulsive, and Viggo is persuaded that maybe if he joins the party, if a lot of good, right thinking people join the party, they would dilute the (bad people), who let's face it, are going to be in power for the next four years. What else are you meant to do? "
click
I did a quick scan of this thread and didn't see this interview on ComingSoon.net.
Also, I don't have time to read it as I'm leaving work in five minutes.
Hilary edited to add:
"Mortensen is as good as always, but it's Isaacs' performance that really impressed us, as he creates an emotionally-charged portrayal of a wealthy and successful German-Jewish professional whose rights and livelihood are taken away as his friend's life continues to improve.
" . . . So I [Jason Isaacs] found this experience overwhelming and why I was interested in Maurice, because he wasn't a victim and because I don't judge Maurice and I don't judge Viggo's character because I think I might have made the very same rationalization. It was just this party of extremists who were doing a lot of great things in Germany, some stuff they found repulsive, and Viggo is persuaded that maybe if he joins the party, if a lot of good, right thinking people join the party, they would dilute the (bad people), who let's face it, are going to be in power for the next four years. What else are you meant to do? "
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A perceptive review from the Sydney Morning Herald:
"Good takes a more tough-minded approach: it is a map of the small, understandable compromises that an ordinary man might make on the road to hell. That's a more confronting idea, because it is no longer just about Germans."
"Good takes a more tough-minded approach: it is a map of the small, understandable compromises that an ordinary man might make on the road to hell. That's a more confronting idea, because it is no longer just about Germans."