Despite having made only a few films in his career, Zach Braff has written and directed a rollercoaster of emotion. ‘A Good Person’, an American drama, was released worldwide in cinemas on March 24th, before it comes to Sky Cinema in the UK on April 28th. The film most notably stars Florence Pugh as Allison, Morgan Freeman as Daniel, and Molly Shannon as her mother Diane. The plot centers around the character Allison, who is struggling with an opioid addiction following the aftermath of a deadly car accident that killed both of her passengers: her future sister and brother-in-law. There is little to take from the cinematography of the film, other than the shots that emphasize the message which is the true focus.
The film navigates grief, guilt, and heartbreak, and in typical Braff fashion, has heart-wrenching elements of lightness within darkness. When speaking about the inspirations for the film, Braff told GamesRadar that he was influenced by the pandemic, which was a time of ‘a lot of loss’ for him. This element is instrumental to the film as all characters are connected through their grief, and the plot conspires through this connection. Whilst the narrative stems from a somewhat simple idea - a car crash - it is executed brilliantly through strong character development that engages the audience in sympathy. Every character is affected differently by the accident, and the discovery of understanding creates a new bond between them. It certainly makes sense that Braff was inspired by a period of hardship that both damaged and united the world. To me, the sentiment of the film was to show the value of relationships and the exploration of making difficult choices towards bettering whatever situation unfolds.
Pugh’s magnetic performance is also what makes the film so exemplary in its telling of such compelling, hard-hitting topics. Allison is a character who becomes extremely relatable as the layers of her character become apparent to the audience throughout the film. Her addiction and the struggles she faces closely resemble the catastrophe of the Opioid Crisis and the resounding effect it had on many Americans and their families. Pugh is exceptional in demonstrating the overwhelming vulnerability and guilt she is faced with, and there is a real emphasis on how much she must push for the help she needs. Her enabling alcoholic mother is a plot device and reminder of the lack of support there is for addiction, especially in this crisis. All characters are flawed, and this creates a sense of reality through the construction of redemption.
Freeman’s character, Daniel, also continues to grapple with the overall message of the conscience of a ‘good person’. Through his experiences and struggles, he and Allison bond and coincide to confront their demons. A beautiful element of the film is Daniel’s train set, which he constructs to represent his ideal life. It is a reminder to Allison and the audience to live without regret. The film is deep and captivating and leaves a real impression on those who interpret the message.