A Good Person

Directed by Zach Braff, A Good Person follows Florence Pugh’s Allison as she attempts to overcome an addiction to pills (and a case of extreme guilt) after causing a fatal car crash. It’s intriguing subject matter that’s employed to entertaining yet undeniably erratic effect by Braff, as the filmmaker, armed with his own screenplay, delivers a palpably overlong drama that does, for the most part, feel as though it’s in need of serious streamlining. (This is particularly true of a final stretch that could and should have been tightened considerably.) There’s nevertheless little doubt that A Good Person generally comes off as an engrossing and periodically spellbinding endeavor that benefits from its first-class performances, as Pugh turns in searing, completely immersive work that remains a continuing highlight within the padded-out proceedings. (And this is to say nothing of Morgan Freeman’s predictably top-notch efforts as a fellow addict.) The inclusion of several enthralling sequences, including Allison’s breakdown at an AA meeting and her encounter with a couple of sketchy figures (Alex Wolff’s Mark and Brian Rojas’ Diego) at a local bar, goes a long way towards enhancing the perpetually watchable atmosphere, and although Braff stumbles in the third act (ie there’s an inciting incident that’s just a little too overwrought for comfort), A Good Person predominantly comes off as an engaging showcase for Pugh’s absolutely mesmerizing (and possibly career-best) turn as the sympathetic protagonist.

*** out of ****