Written and Directed by Zach Braff
Starring Florence Pugh, Morgan Freeman, Molly Shannon, Celeste O’Connor, and Chinaza Uche

I knew we were in good hands in A Good Person, even before this hugely absorbing human drama opens with some reliably comforting Morgan Freeman narration. That’s hardly a spoiler, right!? 

In all seriousness though, there is immense appeal in the coming together of two of the greatest actors of our generation, Florence Pugh and Morgan Freeman, born generations apart themselves, that doesn’t let down for even a second. Thankfully, the same can be said of Zach Braff’s screenplay, directing and of the overall film.

Alison (Florence Pugh) is nearing the day she gets to marry the love of her life, her fiancé Nathan (Chinaza Uche). Shortly before their special day though, an accident occurs leaving tragic ramifications that will change the rest of Alison’s life. Fast forward to one year on from the accident, we immediately learn that Alison is jobless, back to living at home with her mother (Molly Shannon) and is desperate to get her hands on some Oxycodone. Confronted with having to start over while coming to terms with her drug addiction, Alison’s salvation may come from the most unlikely of places and people; in the form of the much older Daniel (Morgan Freeman), an ex-alcoholic with plenty of past traumas himself.

A Good Person is simply an excellent film. I’m not sure how many others reading this will be able to relate to what I’m about to say here, but they just don’t make these types of involving human dramas as often nowadays. The type that provides complete escapism within a devastating reality over a couple of hours impacting fractured and fictional characters that feels just like a part of our own family and is equally satisfying on an emotional and production scale. The type that brings an element of comfort by way of its familiarities and its perhaps foreseeable trajectory, is constantly relatable, and whose story and its characters journeys never stop mattering. The type of film I’d like to think most of us need from time to time. 

We all have our flaws, experience various types of physical and emotional pain, and we all have hopes for something more, something else, something better in our lives. This is exactly what A Good Person encapsulates so effectively. We dearly want for every character in this film to heal, be healthy and find peace and happiness in their (new) lives. It is equally successful too at depicting how these desired outcomes just feel beyond reach sometimes, the hopelessness that comes with that, yet the fact that something or someone constantly has you clinging to any speck of hope there might be. 

I admired this film’s commentary on opioid addiction and of this pain-relieving prescription medication, which the film describes as ‘heroin in a pretty dress’ and claims this over-the-counter drug is no different to others that are just as easily obtained off-the-street. Having said that, these themes are certainly not the sole or even primary focus of the film, but do play a pivotal role, nonetheless. On that note actually, it seems as though the focus of some critics has been on their views that A Good Person is schmaltzy. Admittedly, the lead up to one particular scene and that memorable sequence undeniably is. Perhaps one or two other developments can be argued either way. But to place this label upon the film is completely incorrect in my humble opinion. I respectfully disagree.

Instead, let me tell you where else your focus will automatically be and that is on the outstanding performance from Florence Pugh. She is already one of my absolute favourite talents in the game and has been ever since she burst onto the scene in the jaw-dropping Lady MacBeth. Right now though, she might be my numero uno favourite (sorry Saoirse, I still love you too). Even in the unlikely event the film isn’t as equally absorbing for you, Pugh’s constant and commanding presence and output will anchor you to the film. I’ll also add that this is the strongest role and performance Morgan Freeman has had in at least a decade. 

Highly recommended. 

A Good Person is showing in cinemas across Australia from April 20th.

Moviedoc thanks Kismet and Motto Publicity for the invite to the screening of this film.

Review by Leigh for Moviedoc

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