Good One

I loved every bit of it. "Good One" is a quiet little gem that really resonated with me. It's one of those films that doesn't shout, it whispers. The slow pace might not be for everyone, but I found it meditative. Lily Collias' performance as Sam is simply stunning. She captures that teenage angst and quiet longing so beautifully. The film's exploration of family, friendship, and growing up feels both universal and deeply personal. I found myself reflecting on my own experiences, and I think that's the mark of a truly great film.

A remarkable new actress has been born. Progressively preposterous, as it became that a 17-year old as special as Sam would go on a hiking trip with her father and his best friend, her acting will keep you watching until the end. Throughout the film, I kept thinking her face and expressions could belong to a precocious young French actress (think Léa Seydoux). Reading her biography, I found out her mother is French. I am certain we will see, and hear, more of Lilly Collias. Other than Collias, the two male leads, James LeGros and Danny Mc Carthy are very convincing in their roles. Both the camerawork and the writing are exceptional.

Good one dad... Not... I liked the subtlety of the facial expressions, the many close-ups, the hints, the looks. When will we be able to stop tiptoeing around men's fragile egos? It's not like they return the favour or care whatever we feel. We're just being emotional or crazy. This deserves more recognition. It's a precious little gem. I'm sure it's not everybody's cup of tea but I think most women will appreciate what it's trying to say. I'm starting to feel I might be blessed for not spending that much time with my dad as a kid, if at all. I would have hated being around all this. Although I've witnessed plenty of butthurt behaviour at family gatherings. Always triggered by alcohol of course. Brings out the worst in people.

During a weekend backpacking trip in the Catskills, 17-year-old Sam (Lily Collias) agrees to go on a hiking trip with her father Chris (James Le Gros), his best friend Matt (Danny McCarthy) and Matt's son Dylan (Julian Grady). Matt and Dylan have an argument on the doorstep and Dylan chooses not to go on the trip so Sam is left with her Dad and his friend. They set off only to find that Matt isn't in the best mood and is not prepared for the trip. Chris is irritated by the unpreparedness and makes the scene slightly tense. At this point Sam takes it all in but does not react and still shows Matt respect, even trying to help him. They set off on the hike and for some reason I had a worry at the back of my mind that something bad was going to happen to Sam. It came quite quickly from Matt of all people who invites Sam into his tent to "Keep him warm". When Sam tells her father he is visibly frustrated that she mentioned it and he does not want to deal with the situation. Sam clearly feels let down by this. This film has been slated in many quarters but I suspect these are people who like Marvel films, or Rambo films and nothing else. This film is no better or worse than those mentioned, but it is cinema, not just screen entertainment. To understand the film you have to look at the life dynamics of Matt: recently divorced with a contentious teen son. Chris, with his own marital problems and not only tries to elevate himself above Matt, but also tries to compete with 3 young travellers they meet up with. Sam knows her father's short comings, and as a 17 year old is finding out now about how difficult it can be relating to 60 year olds: even if they are friends of the family. The film is a study of all three and their interactions and Collias does an amazing job of playing the conflicted teen. However the writing is fabulous, exploring all the dynamics between all of the people without making it too obvious and turning it into a preach, instead of a study. If you are expecting action, or sex, or horror, you will be sadly disappointed. This is more about observing groups of people and showing their changing weaknesses. It also charts 17 year old Sam's transition between living in a world as a child, and now as she gets older being exposed to an adult world. I really liked the whole thing and Collias is great. I gave it a solid 7.

India Donaldson makes a smooth, clever, and captivating indie film debut that I thoroughly enjoyed. In just 90 minutes, she weaves a story about three characters that seems straightforward at first glance, but it's so sharp and engaging that you might not catch the deeper layers unfolding beneath the surface. Sam (Lily Collias) is a sensible seventeen-year-old gearing up for a camping trip with her dad, his best friend, and his friend's son, who's around her age. When a last-minute argument causes the son to bail, Sam ends up alone with the two older guys on their wilderness adventure in upstate New York. As a grounded young woman on the brink of adulthood, she takes the good-natured teasing from the men in stride, but as the trip goes on, the dynamics shift, revealing more about who these men really are. Though the two men don't often check in on Sam's feelings, they seem decent enough. Chris has always supported his daughter's queer identity, and she keeps in touch with her girlfriend whenever she can get a signal. Matt tells Sam she's wise beyond her years, calling her a rare "good one" compared to other reckless teens. Scene by scene, Donaldson skillfully reveals the underlying dynamics, aided by the remarkable performance of Collias. For such a young actress, she brings incredible depth to Sam. As the relationships evolve, her introspection shines through, often conveyed more through her gestures and body language than through dialogue, showcasing a level of confidence and skill that's impressive for her age. A quiet yet powerful film!

I had trouble sitting through this movie that isn't really about people hiking through and enjoying the beauty of the Catskill Mountains. It's about people who have never learned to communicate what is important to them. And: nobody takes time to listen. Well, in this case, you would expect the director to emphasize and elaborate on this problem. But she does not. And our main actress stays as incompetent as the two "old white men" when it comes to clearly saying what she wants or doesn't want, Staying mute or saying something evasive isn't communicating. That means there is actually no reason to watch this movie, is there?

I did watch the entire movie because I found the actress intriguing and I thought the movie would be provocative. For me it missed the mark. The nature scenes were nice,,, but if I wanted that I would have watched a nature movie. It was interesting enough to make it not nerve racking boring... but that was just because I kept thinking there might be something around the corner... which never materialized. Movies like this seem to always start out with a cheap sound track... when I heard the music... I kind of knew what I might be in for... and I was right. A very low budget film that in the end... reveals that. I wish Lily Collias well... she has potential.

A daughter, about to enter college, goes on a three-day hike in the woods with her father and her father's longtime friend. It sounds like a classic coming-of-age plot: older men share their wisdom, teaching woman on the cusp of adulthood valuable life lessons. Except, as it turns out here, it's the daughter who does the wisdom-sharing, though whether either the father or his friend actually listens is another question-perhaps one answered by the final shot. Lily Collias, who plays the daughter, has a face always in motion and seeming to reflect even the most fleeting emotions. Each of the unhappy men is unhappy in his own way, and if there are any lessons to be learned from them, it's don't pay attention to anything I say and don't do anything I'd do. The music is very well done and the photography of Upstate New York lush.

This honestly has to be one of if not the worst movie i have ever watched. I am super jealous of my wife who fell asleep 20 minutes in because i have just wasted 90 minutes of my life that would have been better spent watching paint dry. I dont know what else to say really... im currently lying in bed shocked at how bad this was. This is my first review on IMBD and im not one to ever leave reviews but i feel the need to warn people not to waste your time watching this. I havent yet checked to see who made this film but maybe im jumping the gun but id imagine the person is maybe a feminist? Horrible.

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