‘Good Time’ Review by Brian Wallinger

The studio, A24 has produced some amazing films over the years. Their latest offering, the Safdie brothers’ crime-drama Good Time is no exception. A tale of one man’s desperation and his ultimate downward spiral is the central thesis for this flawed, yet effective product. Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) executes a poorly planned bank heist and in the process of escaping, leaves his brother to take the rap. Fearing that his brother, Nick (Ben Safdie) would get killed in jail, Connie embarks on a wild journey of improvised chaos.

The brothers’ Safdie create a surreal environment full of haunting characters. Adding to the atmosphere is the score, engineered and produced by Oneohtrix Point Never. His score evokes 1980’s nostalgia that at times becomes even bigger than the film itself.

The script is full of Scorsese and Mann homages, but suffers from a lack of understanding of mental health issues. The camerawork came off as generic and amateurish, heavy on the shakiness.

The film is very good, but some of it felt unbalanced and underwhelming. The highlight is Pattinson’s exquisite performance and carries the raw, edgy energy. Despite its flaws, Good Time is worthwhile and demands to be discussed.