Usually my idea of a good time is going to the movies with friends, but I guess Robert Pattinson is more of the rob-a-bank-with-your-mentally-impaired-brother type.
Why am I reviewing Good Time? Beyond just loving to talk about this film in general, the Safdie Brother’s follow-up starring Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems, is coming to theaters this week. What better time to reminisce on this 2017 classic?
Good Time is one of those films you feel like was written in the form of a Mad Lib, where you sound like kind of an idiot as you’re describing the plot. A bank robbery? Check. A Sprite bottle full of LSD? Check. A hospital break-in? Check. The “I am the captain now” guy from Captain Phillips? Check. An after hours amusement park? Check. That dude from Twilight? Check.
Speaking of which, this is where Robert Pattinson (as the protagonist Connie) firmly announced himself as no longer being “that dude from Twilight”. He is absolutely captivating here as someone you should definitely not be rooting for, but are anyways. One long static shot of Pattinson’s crazed, unblinking eyes in the back of a car is seared into my brain – this is a man whose life has spiraled out of control in the matter of a day.
I’ve always had a soft spot for gritty, neon-drenched, one-day-long crime stories (the all-time best of which is Collateral), and the Safdie Brothers accomplish an amazing high-wire performance here. Handheld close-ups mesh with bright colors and an unpredictable plot to create an unnerving experience unlike most other films. (Benny Safdie’s performance is also incredible and believable as Connie’s mentally handicapped brother).
Good Time sets the tone early, with maybe the best ever scene-before-the-credits-roll in film. Other than a brief lull in the middle, Good Time never stops moving from there, gripping you by the neck and dragging you along with Connie. Whether you can buy into Connie’s actions as a character (he’ll never be mistaken for a “good guy”) may determine how you feel about the film, but regardless, this is a film like no other.
For me, sometimes I just want to kick my feet up and watch Robert Pattinson absolutely lose his mind in the streets of New York.
Doesn’t that sound like a good time?
The Cast: Robert Pattinson, Benny Safdie, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Barkhad Abdi
The Elevator Pitch: Twilight + Mad Libs + LSD, and it’s awesome.
The Score: 9.25/10
Uncut Movie Reviews 