Leila Cherradi
I have read a review here of someone complaining that this movie was hard to watch. That is true. Also, that person wanted to feel good. That is honorable of course, yet do we want to feel good or do we want the truth? Because the truth is good and bad. This movie has both. Of course it is based on a traumatic event so the bad in it is well present. But there is also good in it, and not cheap good, not a burger or something, a good that comes from a long process involving a lot of patience as usual, which is based on a lot of love. And I found that it was so well written and so soberly played that it was very watchable, very much. I found the principal actor to be amazing!!!!!!!!! I found the principal actress sometimes not convincing but hey, she was also the writer and the director, so let's give her a break. A very genuine movie that I'm so happy to have found by chance!It is so refreshing to see what is made out of Hollywood and with such quality! And it does not look like a indie movie : the lightnings, the sound, everything is pretty well done, and I particularly appreciated the camera point of views. There are not so many places involved in this movie and yet with the camera put always in interesting places, it felt always as rediscovering each place. Nice! Oh and the poster... Mwua!
hulu37
Marianna Palka's Good Dick is a fascinating romantic drama with a take that on the genre that you probably haven't seen before (or at least done this well).A woman who goes to her local video store daily to rent soft core porn becomes the object of affection for the video clerk. It's a simple situational setup that masks the layers beneath. The woman is cold and distant and seemingly not interested in a relationship, of any kind, despite the constant attempts by the video clerk. In fact she treats him pretty bad. Not until the end when we meet her father do we really understand her. She's been sexually abused by him, the first man in her life, and that shapes how she interacts with other men. It now becomes interesting that her erotic interest lie in soft core porn (porn without penetration as the clerk tells her). The clerk too isn't without issues to be addressed. He's battled drug addiction which may explain his addictive personality and why he won't give up on her despite the vitriolic insults and humiliation she dishes.It's been said that hurt people hurt people, and that concept is exemplified well in this film. She treats him bad because that's what she knows. She maintains control of their relationship because she knows how awful it feels to be the one being controlled. Many times throughout the film she dominates him (even simulating rape) to humiliation, and it's painfully clear that she's been through hell.Through it all we are left with a hopeful ending. A confrontation with her father and reconciliation with her video clerk are small steps in her progression. In the end we're left with two damaged people moving forward together. Hopeful, indeed.(Be careful Googling this one - the title may lead you to the dark side of the web!
babyg8878
I am truly, truly thankful for this movie. It actually helped me see that some of my more bizarre behaviors can be traced back to my own experiences with sexual abuse. Somehow this film made me feel less alone and more alone simultaneously. Less alone because its existence means that at least one person (the writer) truly understands. More alone because though the pure, unconditional love offered up is exquisitely beautiful, it is extremely rare and I doubt seriously it will ever be offered to me. Except by God, of course. Great film. It illustrates one of the main reasons why I would love to be a filmmaker. Movies can and do reach people, and in some instances, help.
Gabrielle
From reading other reviews, I can see that this movie seems to be kind of polarizing. Some think it's mediocre and clichéd while others really like it. I have to say I feel the latter. This sort of reminded me of Garden State in a way, but to be honest I think I enjoyed this more, maybe because it seemed honest yet effortlessly so. I enjoyed Garden State, but after watching Good Dick it just seems a bit self-conscious and contrived in comparison. Both movies deal with characters who are emotionally cut-off or numb in some way, but this movie deals more with intimacy, I think, while (Zach Braff's character) Andrew Largeman's redemption stems from coming to terms with his guilt surrounding his mother. The title is deceptive, as neither of the main characters equates sex with intimacy. We don't even find out the names of the main characters, nor do we find out why the Woman has built up an emotional wall to keep others out. So how do these two strangers come together? The Man gradually pushes his way into the Woman's life, sleeping on her couch, then in her bed, washing her hair, cooking her dinner, and yes, putting up with her coldness and meanness. Is this intimacy? Watch it and decide for yourself. I personally found this film engaging, painfully and awkwardly funny, yet emotionally honest at the same time.
AD
