The Good GuyReviewed by
Pete Hammond
February 23, 2010
As the film opens, it's a rainy night and Tommy (Scott Porter), Beth's boyfriend, is frantically knocking at her door looking for money. Reluctantly handing him some, she says she genuinely feels sorry for him and shuts the door in his face. Cut to several weeks earlier: We learn she's in a new relationship with this Tommy, an attractive and smart Wall Street wheeler and dealer working for his mentor Cash (Andrew McCarthy) and winning points with his clients. When one of the top guys leaves the firm, Tommy convinces Cash to promote a sales rep, Danny (Bryan Greenberg), to the demanding job. Danny is Tommy's polar opposite: a nice, sensitive guy who doesn't fit in with the garish, woman-chasing clients the firm cultivates. Soon, Tommy is teaching Danny the tricks of the trade, even though Tommy's partying is taking a toll on Beth. She finds comfort in talking to Danny, even to the point of inviting this "good guy" to join her weekly book club. Complications arise when Tommy thinks she's playing around on him with Danny, and she catches Tommy catting around with other women behind her back. Although there are no major name actors beyond Bledel ("Gilmore Girls"), the talented cast is perfectly chosen and knows exactly how to play this kind of smart material. Bledel effortlessly captures the romantic confusion of Beth, a girl not sure of what she wants but increasingly certain about what she doesn't want. Porter is all sexy swagger and confidence as Tommy and nails the kind of shallow party boy who's in way over his head personally and professionally. Greenberg is the ideal choice to play the kind and understanding Daniel, although at times he seems too good to be true. McCarthy is excellent as their boss, but he disappears halfway through the film. Supporting roles of the friends are well-played by Aaron Yoo, Anna Chlumsky, and Colin Egglesfield. The biggest drawback in "The Good Guy" is that it can't seem to decide what it's really about: guys trying to make it on Wall Street (a la "Boiler Room"), or a romantic triangle among people lost in their search for meaningful love. It meets somewhere in the middle, but it's worth the journey anyway. Genre: Comedy/Drama Written and directed by: Julio DePietro Starring: Alexis Bledel, Scott Porter, Bryan Greenberg, Anna Chlumsky, Aaron Yoo, Andrew McCarthy, Colin Egglesfield |
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Events Calendar
Industry Grosses
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | WICKED | $1,534,111 |
| 2. | THE LION KING | $1,445,999 |
| 3. | SPIDER-MAN TURN OFF THE DARK | $1,433,241 |
| 4. | THE BOOK OF MORMON | $1,425,488 |
| 5. | HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING | $1,319,824 |
| 6. | WAR HORSE | $960,191 |
| 7. | JERSEY BOYS | $915,982 |
| 8. | PORGY AND BESS | $878,884 |
| 9. | FOLLIES | $878,880 |
| 10. | THE MOUNTAINTOP | $693,128 |
Week ending Jan 30, 2012.
Credit: The Broadway League
| Rank | Title | Gross |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | GREY, THE | $19,665,101 |
| 2. | UNDERWORLD AWAKENING | $12,352,802 |
| 3. | ONE FOR THE MONEY | $11,515,790 |
| 4. | RED TAILS | $10,370,323 |
| 5. | MAN ON A LEDGE | $8,001,932 |
| 6. | EXTREMELY LOUD & INCREDIBLY CLOSE | $6,980,448 |
| 7. | CONTRABAND | $6,704,360 |
| 8. | DESCENDANTS, THE | $6,405,285 |
| 9. | BEAUTY AND THE BEAST | $5,307,807 |
| 10. | HAYWIRE | $4,002,760 |
Week ending Jan 30, 2012.
