The Good Girl

views updated

The Good Girl ★★★ 2002 (R)

Justine (Aniston) spends her days in the retail hell of Retail Rodeo, a West Texas discount mart, and her nights with her pothead housepainter hubby (Reilly), while longing for something better in director Arteta's excellent and biting indie dramedy. She finds just that in college dropout and new employee, the self-named Holden (as in Caufield) played by Gyllenhaal. Justine and the brooding, malcontent (read: would-be writer) embark on an affair with interesting results. Small-screen star Aniston gives an excellent, convincing performance. Deschanel is a standout as Cheryl, who makes creative use of the store's PA system for the benefit of the unaware, zombie-like customers. Nelson is the narrow-minded boss who provides a good portion of the comedy. Successful re-teaming of Arteta and actor/writer White. 93m/C VHS, DVD . US Jennifer Aniston, Jake Gyllenhaal, John C. Reilly, Tim Blake Nelson, Zooey Deschanel, Mike White, Deborah Rush, John Carroll Lynch, John Doe, Roxanne Hart; D: Miguel Arteta; W: Mike White; C: Enrique Chediak. Ind. Spirit ‘03: Screenplay.