Aniston too low-key in 'The Good Girl'

By Robyn Washington
Graphics Editor

The film The Good Girl opens with a voiceover by the film's main character, Justine Last, played by Jennifer Aniston: "As a girl you see the world like a giant candy store filled with sweet candy and such. But one day you look around and see a prison and you're on death row. You want to run or scream or cry. But something is locking you up. Are the other folks cows chewing cud till the hour comes and their heads roll, or are they just keeping quiet like you?"

This poignant monologue is accompanied by images of Justine's prison, a small town in Texas. Justine despises her department store job, her husband Phil (John C. Reilly), her life - her prison.

Enter Holden (Jake Gyllenhaal), an emotionally distraught young man. He names himself after the troubled protagonist, Holden Caulfield, of J.D. Salinger's Catcher in the Rye. Holden and Justine have an instant connection, which leads to an affair. Suddenly Justine has a choice. Could this younger man be her escape? What does this opportunity mean for Justine's status as the good girl?

This film's writer, Mike White, who has a small role in the movie as an over enthusiastic Bible thumper, does an incredible job of delineating Justine's dilemma. In understated ways White gives us a complete picture of the mediocrity of Justine's life. White repeatedly uses a deliberate absence of dialogue or just a few short words to say volumes about Justine and her relationships.

White also repeats his initial use of voiceover to offer insight into Justine's mind. While prosaic, these monologues border on poetry. Justine's voice speaks directly to the viewer, her sentiments echoing humanity's. The film is also peppered with hilarious. bittersweet moments.

The Good Girl was directed by Miguel Arteta, and although this is not the first time Arteta and White have teamed up successfully, The Good Girl is enjoying far more attention and commercial success than the 2001 film Chuck & Buck, which won the Independent Spirit Award for Best Feature. The media attention given their latest film can no doubt be attributed, at least in part, to Jennifer Aniston's fame.

Aniston's previous roles have seemed to encompass elements of Rachel, her popular Friends character. Justine, however, is without the slightest hint of Rachel's wry sarcasm, innate fashion sense or stylish confidence.

While Aniston is at times very convincing, I found her performance disconcerting.

In her attempts to be the lonely and subdued Justine, Aniston often came across as devoid of emotion.

Regardless, Aniston's role is a promising departure from her usual character choice.

Gyllenhaal's performance as Justine's lover Holden is reminiscent of his disturbed role in 2001's Donnie Darko. He is thoroughly convincing and a strong counterweight to the generally subdued Aniston.

Gyllenhaal, along with a small group of supporting actors and actresses, rounds out a talented and effective cast.

The Good Girl closes as it opened: with a monologue that once again finds a commonality with the humanness of the viewer.

If you have ever felt imprisoned, that your "life has lost all meaning," or that no one "gets" you, then this humble yet powerful film will resonate with you.