Search - The Good Girl

Director Miguel Arteta and writer Mike White, who had previously collaborated on Chuck and Buck, turn an eye toward suburban boredom with the quirky comedy The Good Girl. Jennifer Aniston stars as Justine, a woman who is feeling constrained by her life. Her husband, Phil (John C. Reilly), is a house painter who spends the majority of his time smoking marijuana with his friend Bubba (Tim Blake Nelson). Longing for something more in her life, Justine becomes involved with a younger co-worker named Tom (Jake Gyllenhall), but because of his fascination with -The Catcher in the Rye, he likes to be called Holden. Her new sense of freedom and release are threatened when a co-worker dies, and when Bubba learns of her infidelity. This film was screened at the 2002 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Perry Seibert, All Movie Guide

Jennifer Aniston - Justine Last
Jake Gyllenhaal - Tom 'Holden' Worther
John C. Reilly - Phil Last
Tim Blake Nelson - Bubba
Zooey Deschanel - Cheryl

2002	Best Actress (nominee)	Independent Spirit Awards	Jennifer Aniston
2002	Best Screenplay (winner)	Independent Spirit Awards	Mike White
2004	Producers Award (winner)	Independent Spirit Awards	Gina Kwon

Who knows why a movie, even a small independent one, with a big star and generally good buzz from the critics, did so little box office. Home video might just be the place for this little film to get noticed. As for the DVD, credit goes to Fox for including both 1.85:1 anamorphic and full-frame transfers, but it's amazing that the image from a major studio is so substandard. Granted, the film's low budget could be part of the problem, but not all elements of the visual image are faulty. The prime problem is the blacks, which have more of a blue look, and no density at all. Colors are generally realistic, but the darker parts of the picture simply look bad. In this day and age when transfers are looking photo realistic, this one just doesn't stand up. The sound, which is a 5.1 English Dolby Digital track, is certainly good enough for a smaller, independent film. In other words, don't expect too much. Dialogue is clear, which is all important. The lack of any surrounds really isn't a surprise, and certainly doesn't hurt the overall DVD experience. Making up for the horrendous transfer are some decent supplemental features. On both sides of this disc are commentaries from director Miguel Arteta and writer Mike White and one from actress Jennifer Aniston. Neither tracks are all that impressive, especially Aniston's as she only shows up now and then throughout the film. On the widescreen side are nine deleted scenes with optional commentary from Arteta and White and a slightly different ending montage, while on the full-frame side is a gag reel that is quite funny. Missing is the standard theatrical trailer, but otherwise, not too bad of a package. ~ Trent Fordham, All Movie Guide

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