Just when you think you’ve got life worked out a one second decision changes that forever. How would you handle it? That’s the question asked by the movie A Good Person.
Allison (Florence Pugh) is getting married, yay! Time to check out wedding dresses, but who to take with you? Our protagonist decides to take her future in-laws, her husband’s sister and husband. All is good as the trio make their way to the destination however a moment of indecision changes all their lives forever.
We next meet an unrecognizable Allison.
Having split from her fiancé Nathan (Chinaza Uche) and living with her mother Diane (Molly Shannon), Allison is no longer working. With an opioid addiction courtesy of a minor head injury, her life’s focus is on gaining her next hit. When her life predictably spirals to the inevitable rock-bottom, she finally seeks help at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
Walking into her first AA meeting she is confronted by a familiar face, Nathan’s father Daniel (Morgan Freeman), who just happens to be a retired policeman.
Ten years sober Daniel is now the guardian of his deceased daughter’s child Ryan (Celeste O’Connor), who is proving to be the posterchild for rebellious teenagers. Knowing Allison was driving the car that killed his daughter and her husband how will he react?
I don’t want to give too much away but I can say that Daniel decides to turn the other cheek and insists that Allison attends the meeting.
A Good Person, the movie is about guilt, addiction, control, families and moving forwards. As the credits rolled I pondered:
- Pugh does a good job at playing the anguished widow;
- Freeman plays the part of the grieving father with ease;
- There are a few clear holes in the story, however if you overlook them you’ll be rewarded by the ultimate message about learning to love the hand you’re dealt, to “love your fate”.
For more information go to Luna Cinemas.
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