Pugh and Freeman Are Perfection in A Good Person

Allison (Florence Pugh) has a bright future,  a wonderful fiancé, supportive family and friends. After surviving an unimaginable tragic accident, her world crumbles in the blink of an eye and Ally emerges from recovery with an opioid addiction coupled with unresolved grief. In a strange twists of events she forms an unlikely friendship with her would–be father–in–law (Morgan Freeman) who unwillingly gives her a fighting chance to put herself back together and move forward.

Directed and written by Zach Braff, he brings humor and heart to grief stricken individuals who desperately want to exist on the other side of their pain and addiction.  “In the past four years, I’ve lost people close to me, a friend, as well as, the child of another friend to COVID; my father; my sister; and, recently, someone who took his own life, which happened after I wrote the screenplay.  With all these feelings being in my consciousness, I wanted to write about not just my grief, but the people I’ve watched who’ve been at the forefront of tragedy and how at first it seemed impossible for them to move on. But then they were able to stand, take steps forward, and slowly able to function again.”

The cinematic chess match between Freeman and Pugh is spectacular to behold together and separately.  Florence Pugh as Ally is like a human tornado wreaking havoc at given turn not only inflicting harm on herself, but those she claims to love. Both Freeman and Pugh have monologues that will rip your heart to shreds.  However, it is the moment when Daniel shares his miniature train world  revealing how its used to work through his pain the same way Ally has used pills to mask survivor’s remorse that their connection is solidified for eternity. Molly Shannon is revelatory as the wine guzzling, enabling mother who just wants everyone to be alright.  Celeste O’Connor is a spitfire with a heart of gold as Ryan.

This is a film about fate.  Fate brought these two tortured souls together and it was fate which saved them  from themselves.    A Good Person will make you walk away learning to love one’s fate – no matter what that may hold. It’s an intriguingly, heartfelt film that will leave  your heart tattered, full and hopeful for a humanity where we are able to look beyond one’s indiscretions and see what lurks beneath.  It is sometimes through the murkiness of what is on the surface that one can learn, grow and forgive.