A One Mann’s Movies review of “Good One” (2025).
“Good One” is beautiful to look at, featuring as it does the serenity of the Catskill Mountains in New York State. And it’s perfectly pleasant. But it has the lowest ‘incident’ count per hour of any recent movie that I can remember. So, sadly, I suspect that many viewers will prefer to watch paint drying.
Bob the Movie Man Rating:
“Good One” Plot:
Sam (Lily Collias) is 17, about to start college and dragged along with her separated father Chris (James Le Gros) on a father/daughter bonding hike in the Catskill Mountains. Chris’s friend Matt (Danny McCarthy) is supposed to be bringing his teenage son on the trip too, but the son refuses to come. So Sam is left to suffer three days and nights of Dad jokes.
Certification:
UK:Â 15;Â US: R. (From the BBFC web site: “Strong language”. I’m a bit puzzled by this rating to be honest, since I don’t remember there being any significant bad langage in the film. I thought the BBFC allowed the odd “fuck” or two within the ’12’ certificate anyway.)
Talent:
Starring: Lily Collias, James Le Gros, Danny McCarthy.
Directed by: India Donaldson.
Written by: India Donaldson.
Running Time: 1h 29m.
“Good One” Summary:
Positives:
- Lily Collias is superb.
- The scenary is beautifully and lovingly shot.
- The script offers a number of smile-worthy moments.
Negatives:
- The story is virtually non-existant.
Review of “Good One”:
There’s lots of potential but a glacial story.
With my recent review of “The Friend” I complained that there were too many characters and too much going on. “Good One” has the opposite problem for me: there is too little going on. The film has much dramatic and comic potential in setting up the young and charismatic Sam to be hiking with the two crusty 60-year old divorced dads in the wilderness. But, honestly, virtually nothing happens!
Plot elements were thrown into the mix: for example, three other teenage lads joined them for discussion around the camp fire at one point. And I thought “oh, what’s going to happen now?”. But, no. The next morning, Sam, Chris and Matt left camp and the other guys were never seen or heard of again.
In fact, aside from the ongoing battle of wits between father and daughter, the ONLY dramatic ‘plot element’ involves a single comment made around a camp fire in the final reel. After that, I was expecting the comment to spark some raging dramatic scenes. But again, it just fizzles out like Sam putting water on the camp fire: all we get is accusatory stares, sullenness and a minor teenage rebellion.
Enjoyable scenary.
This is not to say that it’s not a pleasant 90 minutes in the cinema. Wilson Cameron, the cinematographer, captures the sheer beauty of the forests with perfectly lit shots and some great angles as the hikers plod their way through the landscape. But, for me, that wasn’t enough to carry a feature film.
India Donaldson debut.
The script, by first-time writer/director India Donaldson, neatly portrays the uncomfortable position of the two divorced men, regretting their past mistakes. Matt, the more recently separated one, reveals the depths of his despair in really not knowing where to go next in life. The script also has a number of smile-worthy moments as Matt comes up against the no-nonsense expert-hiking style of Chris.
But Lily Collias is a star in the making.
But, for me, the film is saved by the wonderful performance of 19-year-old Lily Collias. She was apparently plucked out of high-school for this role, and she is a real find. She has the poise, assuredness and natural beauty of an Audrey Hepburn. Collias perfectly portrays the steeliness of a girl about to break-free of her family circle by going to college but who – through her mesmeric eyes – can show surprise and hurt with astonishing vulnerability. Based on this performance she needs fast-tracking to roles in bigger and more prominent productions.
Summary Thoughts on “Good One”
Why is it called “Good One”? I’m afraid I’ve seen the whole film and I still have no idea!
Even though it’s a pleasant, great to look at, naturalistic movie about relationships, it’s not one that really moved my meter in terms of ‘feelings’. Not a film I will remember in a few weeks aside from the great central performance by Lily Collias, who could be a big future star.
Where to Watch it (Powered by Justwatch)
Trailer for “Good One”:
The trailer is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGZNT7qgeG4.
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