Good (2008)

John Halder, a German literature professor in the 1930s, is initially reluctant to accept the ideas of the Nazi Party. He is pulled in different emotional directions by his wife, mother, mistress and Jewish friend.

Director:

Vicente Amorim

Writers:

C.P. Taylor (stage play), John Wrathall (screenplay)

Stars:

Viggo Mortensen, Jason Isaacs, Jodie Whittaker

2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Viggo Mortensen	...	Halder
Jason Isaacs	...	Maurice
Jodie Whittaker	...	Anne
Steven Mackintosh	...	Freddie
Mark Strong	...	Bouhler
Gemma Jones	...	Mother
Anastasia Hille	...	Helen
Ruth Gemmell	...	Elisabeth
Ralph Riach	...	Brunau
Steven Elder	...	Eichmann
Kevin Doyle	...	Commandant
David de Keyser	...	Mandelstam
Guy Henry	...	Doctor
Adrian Schiller	...	Goebbels
Rick Warden	...	Brownshirt

Storyline

John Halder is a 'good' and decent individual with family problems: a neurotic wife, two demanding children and a mother suffering from senile dementia. A literary professor, Halder explores his personal circumstances in a novel advocating compassionate euthanasia. When the book is unexpectedly enlisted by powerful political figures in support of government propaganda, Halder finds his career rising in an optimistic current of nationalism and prosperity. Seemingly inconsequential decisions lead to choices, which lead to more choices... with eventually devastating effect.

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Plot Keywords:

national socialism | heil hitler | censorship | corpse | looking at oneself in a mirror | 

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Taglines:

Anything that makes people happy can't be bad, can it?

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Genres:

Drama | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film was originally to be directed by Lone Scherfig in 2005, with Hugh Jackman as Halder.

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Goofs

In the scene, when Halder takes a walk with his ex-wife in the cemetery, which is supposed to be in Berlin, Germany, Hungarian names are clearly visible on the gravestones.

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Quotes

Maurice: [referring to his auditory hallucinations] How long has this been going on?
Halder: Don't know, a few months?
Maurice: Three months? Six months?
Halder: I don't know.
Maurice: Could it be the end of January, say?
Halder: Thereabouts, I suppose. Why? Do you think there's some connection to...
Halder: What? We put the country in the hands of a lunatic. Taking refuge in a fantasy might be a rational response to an irrational world.

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Soundtracks

Caretakers' Song - Rheinlegendchen
from Des Knaben Wunderhorn
Written by Gustav Mahler

User Reviews

For me, thoroughly enjoyable

I watched this film expecting little. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the film educational and interesting throughout. It paints a picture of the 'Jewish Question' and events leading up to it, focusing on a few characters to give it a personal feel.

Granted, some of the acting was a little ropey, but I would urge people not to let that put them off. I have a particular interest in the second World War, and perhaps that makes me biased, but suspect that even those with no interest in that period of time would still be able to let the film absorb them into the plot.

Recommended, 9/10.

Details

Official Sites:

Good Films Collective

Country:

UK Germany Hungary Cayman Islands

Language:

English German French

Release Date:

11 December 2008 (Hungary)

Also Known As:

Good

Filming Locations:

Hungary

Box Office

Budget:

$15,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$9,508, 4 January 2009

Gross USA:

$27,276

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$1,552,024

Company Credits

Production Co:

Good Films Collective, Miromar Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital EX

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1