Good Girl, The This film carries an extraordinary emotional load under the covers. My original review follows, but I have added an addendum with paraphrased disagreements from three friends whose opinions I respect.* * * *I find a film about depressed people depressing, so for me, this film was interesting but not enjoyable. The lead character is Justine, nicknamed Teeny by her husband. The part is played by Jennifer Aniston who read the script and decided to do it by page five. She has done a lot of TV work and I remember her from Office Space.The film opens as the lights come on at Retail Rodeo, a K-Mart like store in a Texas town where most of the characters are employed. The most humorous thing in this film is the way the store PA system is used. I was particularly impressed by the work of Jake Gyllenhaal who plays Justine's love interest, Holden and John C. Reilly who plays her husband, Phil. Jake you might remember from October Sky and Reilly from a film I did not see, Perfect Storm. I thought that Aniston's Justine was too bright, too intelligent and too articulate to make all the foolish decisions she makes in the story line. This is the discussion point for this film. You can come up with reasons for her actions.

The best line in the film was delivered by Corny, the Retail Rodeo security cop played by Mike White. He tells Justine, ``You can't make water without bumping your nut on a bible.'' I'm still thinking about this one.

I have to mention that Holden's father, Mr. Worth, is played by John Doe. Now that's a name you can't forget.

It's challenging to try and understand why the characters do what they do, but not worth seeing the film. Again, I'm in the minority. Most reviews gave this plenty of stars.

Reviewed February 11, 2003* * * *My friends felt this film was about flawed moral judgments that are made by someone who reacts to being trapped in a boring life in a boring place. And as one friend and ex-teacher said, ``...hence the ironic title, Good Girl.'' Her actions rather than being foolish were desperate, the desperation arising from a depression so profound that she did not even recognize it herself. She was a woman with energy to act, but every action was wrong. From that perspective this is a film that explores the human condition, the struggle for self-determination vs. morality, and explores it in a dramatic and effective way.

Addendum February 19, 2003