‘Goodrich’ Review – Michael Keaton Is Sublime In Charming Family Dramedy

Michael Keaton is back; in fact, he never left the scene. The actor who is forever linked with the demonic ghost Beetlejuice and his grim portrayal as Batman proves that despite his larger-than-life performances, he is still one of the best actors working today. His ability to transcend comedy and drama with remarkable flair and sophistication proves his versatility. In the film Goodrich, Keaton commands attention and praise as he goes through the trials of fatherhood while deftly balancing light drama.

In Goodrich, Michael Keaton plays Andy Goodrich, a struggling art dealer whose life is upended when his much younger wife enters rehab, leaving him to raise their two children. Way over his head, he leans on Grace (Mila Kunis), a grown daughter from a previous marriage, and ultimately becomes a more well-rounded father. The film is hilarious, though not in a side-splitting manner. The humor arises from the situation Goodrich finds himself. It handles the drama effectively, reminding us of how long it has been since we have had an intelligent, adult-orientated comedy.

These types of films are rare, and intelligent comedies are even rarer. Often, these films feel forced or heavy-handed. Not here. Goodrich is brilliant because it takes time to unfold its story and relies on Keaton’s strength. Comedy is undoubtedly Keaton’s bread and butter, but plenty of tender moments pull on the heartstrings. The film is not shy about delivering all the warm feels. Keaton’s journey from an aloof art dealer to engaged father is remarkable and is the film’s focus.

There are truths we tell ourselves that adulthood is having everything figured out. Goodrich delightfully calls bull on that idea, showcasing that even in the throes of life, almost everyone is working to keep their head just above water. The film waxes sentimentality with the complex realities of life. There are not always happy ever afters, and that is okay. The idea of just keep swimming is part and parcel of the human condition and, indeed, is the focus of Andy Goodrich in the film.

Goodrich’s interactions with his second set of kids blossom as the film develops. He goes from mixing up the kid’s names to becoming the center of their lives. The children are precocious, particularly Billie (Vivien Lyra Blair), who plays an excellent sparing partner opposite Keaton. The film’s focus stems from the growing pains of this family’s life. Goodrich is neither a feel-good comedy nor a depressing drama. Instead, the answer lies somewhere in the middle. It is real life: tears, smiles, warts and all. 

Early in the movie, while trying to become a more robust fixture in his younger kids’ lives, Goodrich shows them Casablanca. At first, he is astonished to learn they have not seen the film, further understating his apparent disconnect with this modern family. At the end of the film, when asked if they enjoyed it, his son backs the idea that Rick and Ilsa do not end up together, to which Goodrich affirms that is the movie’s point—a bittersweet love story.

The use of Casablanca is superb framing for this film as a whole. Goodrich focuses on the bittersweet moments of life, and subplots peppered throughout the film drive home this idea. Life is a series of moments, and often, the simplicity is overlooked or even forgotten. Goodrich undergoes a marvelous character arc. He is a man experiencing a series of midlife crises who wakes up to see his life passing him by. Keaton commands our full attention. His Goodrich is a nuanced character that is relatable as much as a work in progress.

The supporting cast shines in addition to Keaton. Mila Kunis, Goodrich’s first daughter, is particularly undergoing her growing pains while expecting her first child. The father-daughter relationship is fraught and fractured, but it becomes the movie’s emotional backbone. The strain of their awkward relationship into a renewed bond is a shimmering example of the film’s heart.

Keaton gives his best performance to date. In a career filled with incredible and nuanced performance, Goodrich allows him an opportunity to marry his talent in deft comedy and complex characterization. He is not playing a supernatural demon here but a man with flaws and virtues like all of us. Keaton never fails to bring us a smile and a pious reaction. He is that good here and reminds us that he always has been.  

Goodrich is a rare example of a film where the acting and story mesh well to create something memorable. Films like these are rare. The talent is captivating, and the story is genuine. Goodrich pulls no punches and resolves itself with a dose of sentimentality and inspired wisdom.

Goodrich is currently playing in theaters courtesy of Ketchup Entertainment.