009: Good Dick (2008)

Title: Good Dick (2008)
Starring: Marianna Palka, Jason Ritter, Martin Starr
Directed By: Marianna Palka

Good Dick is an odd film. Not bad! Just odd. It follows many of the rules of your typical indie romantic comedy, but it isn't a romantic comedy. It's funny at times and sweet at times, but the characters themselves won't allow this to become a rom-com. It is in fact, an exercise in brutal honesty.

Jason Ritter is the man, Marianna Palka is the woman (neither of them are ever given a name). Man works at a video store with his friends. Watching them interact with each other and with the customers feels real. You could see these guys working at this exact video store and saying these exact things. Woman is a customer at the store. She rents porn there. Exclusively. Man becomes quite enamored with woman and decides to pursue her. He does this as creepily as possible. After much ado, Woman allows man into her life. She does this as begrudgingly as possible. The two don't make a good pair at all. But then again, they're perfect for each other. It's quite odd.

What follows are often unexplainable exchanges between Man and Woman. Eventually the exchanges lead to consequences for each of them, both in the relationship and outside of it. And then eventually the credits start. That's honestly about as detailed an account of this movie anyone could truthfully write without quoting Man and Woman verbatim.

You see, this isn't just a movie about what happens between two new lovers. It's not a giant McGuffin just to get them to their happily ever after. It's a brutally honest portrayal of two broken people coming together and, in their own ways, helping one another. During the movie, I laughed, because there are some very funny parts. But I also knew that what I was watching was powerful. Much more so than your typical rom-com.

I'd say that's what first-time writer/director Marianna Palka captured best. The sheer power of a relationship, regardless of how rocky it is or how messed up the people in it are. Recommended.

Score: 7/10