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4

MarcDoyleDec 14, 2010

One of the strangest movies I've ever seen, and not in a really good way. By the end, it had me wondering how much of the story was actually "based on a true story" and what the real sources were. The trailer is deceptive as hell. TheOne of the strangest movies I've ever seen, and not in a really good way. By the end, it had me wondering how much of the story was actually "based on a true story" and what the real sources were. The trailer is deceptive as hell. The Gosling character is a true freak, and I'm not sure that I'd ever recommend the experience to anyone.… Expand

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0

QRITQDec 24, 2010

From the opening strains of Steely Dan's "Daddy don't live in that New York City no more," I had a bad feeling about "All Good Things."

Released in 1975, the album Katy Lied was Steely Dan's 4th studio album, and it is difficult toFrom the opening strains of Steely Dan's "Daddy don't live in that New York City no more," I had a bad feeling about "All Good Things."

Released in 1975, the album Katy Lied was Steely Dan's 4th studio album, and it is difficult to understand how it could have been playing on anyone's radio in 1971, when our movie opens...

A fine cast, and apparently proficient crew managed to create a movie in which no one is like-able, and not one person, let alone the music supervisor, could get it together to have a contemporary song playing in the opening scene.

Missing wife, hapless "disco people" brother, best friends, U.S. Senators; you name them, there's a pretty good reason no to like any of them. We are encouraged to hate the rich, the poor, the powerful and the powerless equally.

Okay, I liked the dog.

As you are probably already aware, the film is a thinly veiled fictionalization of a tabloid story from the 80's, and then 2000's, that follows, through voice-overs, the unfortunate, often tragic (for others) life of a NYC real estate heir.

There's goofy love story stuff, Oedipus-sy angles, requisite disco-era drug use... all perfectly fine components for a good story except - we don't care about one person we meet in the movie.

Kirsten Dunst's portrayal of Katie McCarthy brings us as close as we get to someone we like, but for whatever reason, her inability to remove herself from the circumstances that eventually, (obviously), lead to her disappearance makes it tough to care for even her.

Ryan Gosling is fine as the tortured, hapless son, Frank Langella is as always, a unique presence in a film, and Philip Baker Hall almost wins us over as Malvern - but sadly, we care what happens to absolutely no one in the film-- and face it, if we're not rooting for somebody we're really just rooting that this pondering mess of a film just finally come to a merciful end.… Expand

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3

TonyDec 11, 2010

A giant mess of a film. Ryan Gosling and (a surprisingly tolerable) Kirsten Dunst do the best they can with a story that can't decide what genre it belongs in. This simply just doesn't work. Andrew Jarecki, whose "Capturing the Friedmans" wasA giant mess of a film. Ryan Gosling and (a surprisingly tolerable) Kirsten Dunst do the best they can with a story that can't decide what genre it belongs in. This simply just doesn't work. Andrew Jarecki, whose "Capturing the Friedmans" was fascinating, can do better than this.… Expand

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10

francescoOct 31, 2011

"All good things" is a brilliant absorbing and ultimately provocative drama thriller with a good direction and amazing performances by the three leading actors.It reminded in a way "Revolutionary Road" because we have the portrait of the"All good things" is a brilliant absorbing and ultimately provocative drama thriller with a good direction and amazing performances by the three leading actors.It reminded in a way "Revolutionary Road" because we have the portrait of the desire of a perfect existence and the subsequent broken dreams of a couple. But in "All good things" not every reasons are explained because the director is telling a real story(the names of the characters in the movie were changed)that is still a mystery and the leading actor of this drama is an enigma. David Marks(Ryan Gosling)son of a powerful real estate man(Frank Langella)tries to establish a perfect and peaceful life with his wife Kathie(Kirsten Dunst)by avoiding his duties in the family business(legal and illegal).But it won't be easy for him to resist at the pressure by his strong father and he will be forced to take part of the ominous projects of his persuasive father.Besides,his increasing psychological problems will destroy his life with his wife.The second part of the movie is a shocking and bizarre look at the last years of the disturbed man and the homicides of his two friends.And the movie becomes a sort of "Psycho". What we see is the results of murder investigations. I liked the mixture of themes such love,corruption,madness,mystery and murder and Andrew Jarecki did very well in showing the growth and reasons of the characters,although David remains an enigma in many of his actions.I really liked the details he offered and I was drawn from the beginning to the end.The movie is predictable in some parts but in the last one is a real unexpected turn.Ryan Gosling was great in playing a troubled man and I was moved by the portrayal of this poor soul that had no chance to live in peace with himself.Also he shows some sinister sign of madness that are really overwhelming. Kirsten Dunst was simply terrific in portraying a victim of the husband and his powerful family but also an ambitious woman who tried to get advantages by the the whole situation in terms of the prospect of a wealthy life.For her amazing acting she should have been nominated for an Oscar.Frank Langella was really good in the role of the cold and manipulative father.The three characters are really complex and not easily categorized."All good things"is probably one of the most appealing and interesting movie of the year.It has real great and original moments and although it doesn't provide an easy solution to the case it is not a distracting thing in my opinion(since it's still an open case).… Expand

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7

SausageDec 17, 2010

I went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it, which unfortunately hasn't fared me to well in the past, this however was a pleasant if not creepily strange surprise!! Not once while sitting through this did my attention driftI went into this movie knowing absolutely nothing about it, which unfortunately hasn't fared me to well in the past, this however was a pleasant if not creepily strange surprise!! Not once while sitting through this did my attention drift off, I was glued to the tension and incredible atmosphere. Once finished and the creepiness had subsided, the faults with the story began to surface and thats where the problem lies!! The Story is fragmented and skips from decade to decade with no regard for the time between. The story says based on actual events and 'intense' research, but feels speculative and contrived. The acting however is brilliant and the direction, if patchy is slick and attention grabbing. This movie is a bit half and half, but I feel that for a movie with such big faults to hold my attention for so long and honestly make me think, deserves a little more than a pass!!… Expand

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10

ACE103Dec 19, 2010

This Movie Rocks! Kirsten Dunst is so good.As is Ryan Gosling.They both act good together and do thier parts good. Who cares what it's Metacritic score is that means nothing judge for yorself.I'll give it a 95!!!!!!!!!!!

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5

nutterjrJul 4, 2011

There are notable performances in this film with the most significant being that of Kirsten Dunst, but unfortunately they are not enough to make this mystery murder film a captivating one.

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7

Cream8nMay 20, 2012

All Good Things offers a recreation of real-life events in addition to providing a bit of dramatic speculation on how things really went down. Director Andrew Jarecki brought in 2003 an Oscar-nominated documentary 'Capturing the Friedmans'All Good Things offers a recreation of real-life events in addition to providing a bit of dramatic speculation on how things really went down. Director Andrew Jarecki brought in 2003 an Oscar-nominated documentary 'Capturing the Friedmans' and now makes the jump from the experience of this documentary to this movie.… Expand

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8

Berry-TanFeb 28, 2016

All Good Things isn't a pleasurable film to experience, but it offers an uncanny evocation of a narcissistic sociopath who doesn't come at us with the charm and sophistication that the typical screen bad guy has. The end result is intriguing,All Good Things isn't a pleasurable film to experience, but it offers an uncanny evocation of a narcissistic sociopath who doesn't come at us with the charm and sophistication that the typical screen bad guy has. The end result is intriguing, with a dash of a love story and a twisty. Good, but had an unsatisfying ending.… Expand

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7

jeremypApr 9, 2011

Another attempt to crack the Durst mystery, and with added fictional guesses as to what might have happened. This one is stranger than fiction and the fact that Durst still trots around free with Daddy's millions has to gall all those whoAnother attempt to crack the Durst mystery, and with added fictional guesses as to what might have happened. This one is stranger than fiction and the fact that Durst still trots around free with Daddy's millions has to gall all those who value justice. The story really needs a four part series. We never get to see the detective work done and why Durst walked away from his wife's (presumed) murder. We never see much of the trial for the murder of his lodger and have to wonder if folks in Galveston are rubes. Gosling is good as Durst, who was diagnosed as having Asperger's but seems way more competent than that. Frank Langella gets to do his customary "heavy" role as Durst Sr. In the end it;s such a mish mash of fact and supposition that I was left irritated by the conceit of the Director's presumptions… Expand