‘Goodrich’ Is The Surprise Feel-Good Movie of the Year

Michael Keaton hangs up his Beetlejuice outfit to star in small life-affirming comedy drama Goodrich, opposite delightful actress Mila Kunis.

The complexities of life become a reality for Andy Goodrich late one night, when Naomi, his second wife, calls advising that not only is she going to rehab for drug abuse, but she is also leaving him.

“Take care of the kids! I’m leaving you!” she utters to his bewilderment.

To compound to this reality, his art gallery business is going broke, and he must learn to be a father to his 9-year-old twins – fathering is a concept he is unfamiliar with owing to his hectic workload over the years.

Adding to the mix Grace, his eldest daughter from a previous marriage, is pregnant and bitterly disenchanted with her father for having been raised in his absence – a father figure she would have cherished.

“You’ve let me down all my life! I thought you changed!” she retaliates as he makes excuses for letting her down for the umpteenth time.

Can Andy successfully navigate through so many life changes? Will he learn to be a father and rectify the relationship with his eldest daughter? Will his wife ultimately return?

Goodrich is the surprise feel-good movie of the year. Keaton, who chooses his scripts very carefully, has starred in some of the most successful movies of all time and he portrays Andy delivering a performance that audiences should warm to.

Ukrainian-born Kunis once again highlights her prowess as an actress. Loved by audiences for her roles in silly and hilarious comedies The Spy Who Dumped Me and Bad Moms, she comfortably settles into a role which primarily requires dramatic intensity and emotional outbreaks laced with placid comedic moments. A versatile actress it’s always a pleasure watching her grace the screen.

Actress Andy McDowell makes a surprise appearance as Andy’s first wife, slightly underused but effective to the narrative.

This is an enjoyable feel-good movie, with several poignant scenes that may reduce audiences to tears. The primary and relatable theme that resonates throughout is the importance of a healthy family unit.

Goodrich is an alternate and refreshing cinematic offering from all the big blockbusters which are currently screening in cinemas.

Goodrich

***1/2

In Cinemas November 21