In a new series of articles, I talk every week about which films and TV series have impressed me.
"Good Time" is one of the best thrillers that have been released in the last decade. The Safdie brothers managed to make an amazing movie with the brightest cast in conditions of a limited budget ($ 2 million): Robert Pattinson, Jennifer Jason Leigh and even underground rapper Necro appear on the screen.
I love "Good Time" for its dynamism and fullness. The film about a failed bank robbery lasts 102 minutes, and there is not a single unnecessary scene in it. The Safdie brothers skillfully create a sense of chase even in static shots. It seems that the main character Connie is sitting on the couch, but you still understand — right now someone is looking for him, and the criminal himself is coming up with a new crazy plan.
Absolutely in every frame there is adrenaline, the rapid heartbeat of the characters is almost felt. The dynamics of "Good Time" resembles "Mad Max: Fury Road", if the post‑apocalyptic desert is replaced by New York.
"Good Time" completely abandons the cliches inherent in films about robbery. The heroes don't shine with intelligence, they don't have a cool plan. That's why it's easy to sympathize with them — they are not the masters from the "Bear Hunter" and not the geniuses from the "Ocean's Eleven Friends". Connie is driven not by a criminal mindset and villainy, but by desperation, so his decisions are impulsive.
The last "Twilight" was released in 2012, and for several years Robert Pattinson did everything to disown the image of the vampire Edward. "Good Time" is a turning point in the actor's career, here he gives an incredible performance. After him, Pattinson began to be taken seriously, and further works ("The Lighthouse", "Batman") showed that he was a wonderful actor who simply had no luck in roles.
If you like crazy, even frenzied movies, then it's definitely worth watching "Good Time". This is both a brilliant attraction and a masterfully made director's work. And you can continue watching another Safdie brothers movie — "Uncut Diamonds", albeit calmer, but no worse.