Despite formulaic, melodramatic, and repetitive habits, A Good Person succeeds through vulnerability. There's growth, tension, natural relationships, flawed protagonists, setup/payoff, symbols, productive dialogue, and difficult truths. Topics of trauma, sobriety, support, suicide, self-honesty, and control are explored. The uplifting moments feel earned even when they're convenient. The raw acting offers chemistry, altered states, layers, intensity, commitment, range, outbursts, humor, withdrawals, and genuine suffering. Thus, the film is tragic with enough tasteful levity to keep it endearing. Overall, A Good Person's striking emotions and personal earnestness are deeply relatable.
Technically, A Good Person serves its drama. Its imagery uses composition, angles, framing, movement, steadiness, and shallow focus. The editing utilizes parallel storylines, dissolves, montages, jump cuts, smash inserts, intercuts, layering, tempo shifts, and a gentle pace. Its sound adds voiceovers, split cuts, emphasis, silence, symbolism, heartbeats, and muffling. The wistful music supplies trans-diegetic singing and original songs. Its production design reflects the characters, its minimal effects are helpful, and its cast is its heart. The direction isn't flashy but it sensitively captures a strong tone with sincere substance. Ultimately, A Good Person is meaningful and moving.
Writing: 8/10
Direction: 8/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 10/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 9/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 6/10
Overall Score: 7.9/10
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