“Viggo Mortensen’s understated performance made this movie all the more powerful. The message of ‘go along to get along’ highlights Johnnie’s cowardice and weakness…dealing with a sick and mentally ill mother and wife and an overbearing father in-law. His awareness of what he has become showed an amazing naiveté, plus the true nature of his new wife.”
“The individual elements were there, but overall the film left me flat.”
“Not good! Although final shot was very interesting with him standing with arms slightly apart almost in a questioning manner (palms up, puzzled and mortified) while at the same time the prisoners are being separated.”
“Why do movies supposedly based on a book or play change the original meaning of the work it is based on?”
“Powerful statement with some powerful acting. Interesting angle to take about the holocaust.”
“The film was very preachy, contrived and staged. Characters are not well developed. Nazis look rational (why?). Movie annoyed me throughout.”
“A chilling contrast to ‘THE READER.’ I kept thinking of Hannah Adrent’s article on evil from the early 70’s. It was ironic to hear them speaking ‘British English’ and not having German accents. He is such a weak-willed passive person. The sets and the costumes really capture the times.”
“Very painful to watch.”
“A terrific performance by Viggo and a fascinating portrait of how the weak are seduced by the strong, the attractive or simply the desire to survive. Could be talked about for days in many of my classes.”
“Clever portrayal of a wimpy professor with a neurotic wife, a sultry student (yes a symbol of Nazi and Aryan pride) and seeking escape, even into the hands of the Nazis. But the film leaves out a few details, like perhaps the bombing of Poland, England and oh yes, World War II!
“Felt the characters were not very well developed and therefore the film did not hold together.”
“A cautionary tale. A bit hammy for me, the characters were more symbolic than fleshed out for me. Good film for talking points, however at no point in the film did I see the lead as ‘good.’ He was handsome, and expedient and weak. The escapism into music was ultimately an abdication of responsibility.”
“A deeply moving film based in the holocaust era of Germany. Brilliant music in addition to very intimate and real acting. Stayed on subject, even though subject was complex. Brilliant screenplay. I was very pleased.”
“Did the Nazis really have computer hole punch cards in the 1940’s? The striving for order we saw in ‘THE READER’ again on display with ‘GOOD.’
“Nothing new here. English accents were unconvincing, especially when slang expressions were used. Falls flat.”
“Bravo! This movie shows an interesting perspective on how people ‘allowed’ what happened in Nazi Germany to happen. The use of his musical visions and the band at the end really pointed out the surrealism of the times.”
“An excellent film and a very different perspective on this type of film genre. I found the personal struggle of the main character so interesting and the element of the music taking him out of reality and into a more peaceful world made the film all the more profound.”
“A profound film on many levels, and one whose tale is indeed cautionary. Viggo Mortensen is superb as the once idealistic professor who becomes a willing victim to the spell of the Nazis, and the message remains true today, where children from zealots – religious or otherwise - promise power or sex or survival if you just fall in line.”
“Good choice of Vigo Mortensen and Jason Isaacs for two main characters. You want to believe that Vigo will do the right thing and save the life of his friend. Insidious nature of evil; how easily one’s good nature can be eroded and seduced into participating in horrific acts and remain seemingly aloof. Tom wants to be called professor because being a Nazi Commandant seems to be too much for him to admit about himself.”
“Good was great! Deeply moving portrait of a man caught in something not of his making. Excellent story and strong performances all around made this moral fable worth seeing. The double meaning of the protagonist’s novel on euthanasia is a particularly interesting theme to explore. Who has the right to decide what life is worth living?”
“Beautifully paced film. More about the dilemma of perception or misperception, rationalization, misplaced sense of reality. The acting was superb. A truly sad story for everyone which portrays irony beautifully.”
“The film and the music are incredible.”
“Powerful film.”
“What an important film for younger generation to see in order to understand the slow slide to the dark side.”