The Good Life (2007)

A young man (Webber) is encouraged by a new friend (Deschanel) to cope with living in a town where he doesn't necessarily fit in.

Director:

Stephen Berra

Writer:

Stephen Berra

Stars:

Mark Webber, Zooey Deschanel, Harry Dean Stanton

1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mark Webber	...	Jason Prayer
Zooey Deschanel	...	Frances
Harry Dean Stanton	...	Gus
Bill Paxton	...	Robbie
Chris Klein	...	Tad Tokas
Patrick Fugit	...	Andrew
Drea de Matteo	...	Dana (as Drea De Matteo)
Bruce McGill	...	Frank Jones
Donal Logue	...	Daryll
Deborah Rush	...	Diane
Chris Basher	...	Bus Passenger
Michael Baxter	...	Fred
Michelle Boulet	...	Friend #1
Cory Cassidy	...	Tad's Friend
Sarah Constible	...	Terry

Storyline

A young man (Webber) is encouraged by a new friend (Deschanel) to cope with living in a town where he doesn't necessarily fit in.

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Plot Keywords:

young man | gas station attendant | friendship | movie theater | bullying | 

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Taglines:

A story about a mostly normal young man who makes the most out of fitting in when he obviously doesn't.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Details

Country:

Canada USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

20 January 2007 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Canada

Box Office

Budget:

$3,500,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

FarFalla Films, Buffalo Gal Pictures, Fostoria Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min 90 min (European Film Market)

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Jason: My dad once told me that the people I meet will never care more about who I am than they will about what I look like. And because I look the way I do, people may never care about me at all.

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Connections

Features Love Finds Andy Hardy (1938)

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Soundtracks

"Paranoidattack"
Written by Joel Peterson (as Joel Petersen), Todd Fink (as Todd Baechle),
Clark Baechle, Jacob Thiele and Dapose (as Michael Dappen)
Performed by The Faint
Courtesy of Saddle Creek Records

User Reviews

An important film about one man's struggle to survive in an environment of deceit and manipulation

Given there's already quite a number of reviews of The Good Life--it did play at Sundance, after all, I'm not going to discuss the plot of the film, except to briefly say that it's a film about the suffering and isolation of one man, Jason, in a town he's trapped in for all the wrong reasons. He is surrounded by deceitful and manipulative individuals who do nothing but bring him down and pull him further and further into desolation. That is, except for his one true friend, Gus, an old man who owns a neighborhood theater. The film deals with themes and perspectives and actions viewers don't typically find appealing on screen--and it is largely depressing. Reviews are mixed for this film, as to be expected. Some find the film hopeful or inspiring at the end--I just see it as survival.

The well-fleshed out characters in this gloomy tale are all impressively played. Mark Webber's performance as Jason is incredibly riveting and believable. As for Chris Klein, I agree with some critics who believe this might be his best role yet. Zooey Deschanel manipulates me into loving her once again. Bill Paxton's character is quirky and odd and gay, and Bill pulls it off perfectly. Gus, however, is probably my favorite character. I kept looking over at Harry Dean Stanton, who gives a heartfelt performance as a dying man, wondering, as the film progressed, how he felt watching himself play this character--at his age--and how it effects him. Of course, he's far more active than Gus...

(on my blog there was a picture of Harry Dean waving his hands in the theater at the audience, announcing "I am not a crook.")

Professional skateboarder Stephen Berra has written and directed a truly important film, built on decent story and cemented together with remarkable performances from the actors. Berra's portrait of small town America manufactures a painful environment which grabs the viewer by the throat. The film doesn't necessarily say anything new or even profound for that matter, but it's certainly an emotional experience I won't soon forget.