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GOOD GRIEF
Written and Directed by Andrew Dickson
Produced by Jason Blalock, David Gray, and Andrew Dickson
Edited by Katie McQuerrey and Justin Callaway
Director of Photography - Matt McCormickChuck - David Gray
Loris - Alexandra Coleman
Darcy - Bethe Mack
Sylvan - John Todorott
Magnus - Al BurianIn no way did I think I would like Director Andrew Dickson’s GOOD GRIEF. The box description made it sound like a glorification of role playing, detailing some sort of live action role play where the characters revolved their lives around a toss of the dice. Instead, what I found was one of the most engaging and angry films I’ve seen in a long while. I feel sorry for the filmmakers who no doubt lived their lives in the shadow of popularity; acknowledged at times only to be ridiculed and picked upon. Some of the scenes seemed all too painfully real to not have been based on actual events..
Personally, I’ve never role played, but that doesn’t mean I can’t still sympathize with Chuck’s need for escape from high school’s hellish daily grind. Picked on by jocks and jerks every day of his life, Chuck needs an outlet where he can vent his frustrations and be everything that he is not: strong, brave, and noble. For him, everyday means a porcelain shampoo. Every night means self-exaltation.
Chuck’s core group of friends is comprised of Loris, Darcy, and Sylvan. They have been playing their games for as long as they can remember. The group is growing up and everyone is coming into their own. Few have need for the games anymore. As sexual adulthood approaches, so does the desire to explore ever-enticing games of a more mature nature.
These kids in this movie are amazing to watch. Their performances are so dead on that at times I thought I was watching a documentary. I can’t think of another film I’ve seen recently where the characters are more fully rounded. As I watched I was reminded of KIDS, another film that shows today’s youth as they are, and not how Hollywood wants them to be. Both films portray with a dead on accuracy the angst and hardships that today’s youth have to face. Yet, while KIDS was a wake up call to parents, GOOD GRIEF is a sign of hope.
To deal with his problems, Chuck organizes a road trip. The goal is to complete an unsolved advertising stunt where the general public has to solve a series of clues and find the prize hidden somewhere in America. (The best known example of this is the movie MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY with Eddie Deezen, from the mid 1980’s). To Chuck, it’s a chance to set off on a true quest. To his friends, it’s merely something to do during an otherwise boring spring break.
GOOD GRIEF is the story of one boys’ rite of passage as he learns what it means to grow up. Along the way Chuck will learn betrayal and loose touch with reality. His rage will take its toll on both himself and those around him. Friendships will be lost and others taken in new directions.
The ending isn’t what you might expect, but it’s still honest. For me, that’s why the film works so well. It’s honest. The emotions are real, never sugar coated. You have no idea how refreshing a concept that is. When I watch films today, it’s easy to spot characters that are reacting in certain ways only because that’s how the script requires them to do so. It’s a cheat, but one the film-going public has to live with.
As cinemagoers, films like GOOD GRIEF are our chance at escapism. They are chances to get away from the ridiculing nature of what Hollywood has to throw at us. If you get a chance to see this movie, do yourself a favor and check it out. It’s been a long time since I’ve liked a movie as much as this one.