ALL GOOD THINGS (2010)

Directed By: Andrew Jarecki
Written By: Marcus Hinchey & Marc Smerling
Cinematography By: Michael Seresin
Editor: David Rosenblum & Shelby Siegel

Cast: Ryan Gosling, Kirsten Dunst, Frank Langella, Nick Offerman, Philip Baker Hall, Zoe Lister Jones, Kristin Wiig, Diane Venora, Liz Stauber, Trini Alvarado


The film is based on a true story and shockingly the director got the man it is based on robert Durst to do a audio commentary with him on the dvd. He actually visited the set but kept his distance during filming. Which is hsocking considering the film makes him look guilty as sin.

The film is nA love story and murder mystery based on the most notorious unsolved murder case in New York history. The original screenplay uses newly discovered facts, court records and speculation as the foundation for a story of family, obsession, love and loss. As robert Durst tries to account for his missing wife.

Considering how crazy the case is it's hard to beleive it is true. Astonishingly it makes perfect fodder for a film. I just can't figure why it doesn't come off as rich oin the big screen.

My problems with the film si that it is like a old car you own. it stalls at the beginning and the longer you sit there it does start to warm up and by the time it finally get's started you wonder was all this worth it, but you spent so much time waiting you might as well not let that go to waste. That is what it is like watching this film. it get's better as you go along.

The film is beginning to end gloominess though. which is what bothered me i have no problem with depressing films, but even as the film begins we are supposed to believe Kirsten dunst's character has some reason oif interest in Ryan Gosling. though from the beginning of the movie he seems like a moody asshole. that you never see what made her fall for him in the first place. it's also not like the beginning of their relationship was magical either. so i don't get why she loved him. it wrung false so the rest of the movie of their trials and tribulations never felt real to me, it was like two actors going through the motions.

Don't get me wrong the actors are all excellent. The biggest shock Kirsten Dunst who has always just been a ok actress here she makes leaps and bounds as a good actress who hold sthe screen. this may also be becasue this is one of the few roles she has taken with serious dramatic depth and deep material. Frank Langella is amazing as awlays. Still will never forget him as skeletor in MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE. even Robert Durst says he perfectly nails his dad. Ryan gosling is good as usual in the quirky dangerous lead role.

I am shocked that the film gives a insight into what happened though at this point in real life it is left as a mystery. The film doesn't just end with the mystery it goes forward in time to tie him into another mystery not as deep as the first one but may have a connectiion to it.

All the characters are just sad in this film. they never seem to ever find happiness or joy. they smile a lot but it only exposes the emptiness of the gesture and gives us a peek between the cracks where the truth lies.

No matter what experimental look you try to give the film using different film stocks and angles. that doesn't make the film special if anything it looks like you are just trying to distract by how disappointing the film or it's scenes can be.

A satisfying rental

GRADE: B-