Soygun Film’s “Good Time” is the romantic comedy about a group of lifelong best friends who, thanks to social media, reunite every year for a long-awaited summer holiday but end up having to hide their true feelings due to a meddling ex. Starring Robert Pattinson, Thomas Middleditch, Malin Akerman and Catherine Zeta Jones, the film was directed by Roger Donaldson and written by Akiva Goldsman. When “Good Time” was first announced, it was revealed that a number of famous faces would appear in supporting roles, including Kelly Clarkson, Billie Eilish, Emily Mortimer and more.
The movie focuses on a group of four friends who reunite for a long-awaited summer holiday; two sets of brother and sister (Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, with Angus MacLane) fall in love, and one of the siblings (Eilish) ends up falling for their best friend Luke (Pattinson). As expected, the reunion between the friends is filled with laughter and drama, as they try to keep their feelings hidden from prying eyes (including their parents and siblings).
In the month since its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, “Good Time” has continued to impress audiences and critics alike with its unique take on rom-coms and its refreshing comedic approach. It currently holds a 75% on Rotten Tomatoes, with many praising its relatable characters and the unique bond that the group develops over the course of the summer. The film is based on a real-life summer camp that the screenwriter and director attended as children; they reportedly used their own experience of growing up as an inspiration for the story.
The Films of Robert Pattinson
Although he is most well-known for his acting skills, director Roger Donaldson has noted that Robert Pattinson is a force to be reckoned with behind the camera as well; his directorial debut, “The Hard Stop,” was released last year, and his second movie, “The Last Word,” is due to hit theaters next year.
“It’s an incredible gift to have someone who is so talented and can carry a movie with just his presence,” noted Donaldson of his co-star. “I remember seeing him act in his first movie and thinking, ‘This guy is really, really good.'”
Pattinson has long been hailed as one of Hollywood’s most charming and sophisticated leading men, and that is deservedly so, given his acting career. The Twilight actor has proven himself to be a capable director, too, having helmed both the short film “Soyubi” and music video “Wolves”, as well as serving as an executive producer on the short film “Benny in Paradise” — all of which are included in his impressive resume. What’s more is that he has said that he would like to direct a movie in every genre; so far, he has only directed two, but what an achievement that still is!
With “Good Time”, we have a romantic comedy from one of our favorite leading men. Not only was it directed by someone we respect, but it also stars one of our favorite on-screen couples: Catherine Zeta Jones and Thomas Middleditch. The former has recently starred in acclaimed films “Celeste” and “The Conspirator”, the latter played Forrest Gump in the classic 1994 movie; reuniting them both onscreen is a dream come true for romance novel fans!
Catherine Zeta Jones’ Career
Catherine Zeta Jones is one of Hollywood’s most popular and successful leading ladies. The famous actress is best known for playing the role of Allison Taylor in “Pretty Woman” (for which she won a Best Actress Oscar) and as Cersei Lannister in the “Game of Thrones” franchise. She has also produced and starred in several films, including “Bewitched”, “Private Affairs”, “Duplicity”, “J. Edgar” and “The Bodyguard”.
Jones is a well-known vocal Trump supporter and has even gone on record saying that she would like to see him elected (or at the very least, kept in check). She has previously worked with the sitting U.S. President on several events, including the “Global Citizen Festival” and the “International Women’s Day” reception. Jones was a featured guest at this year’s “Women in Hollywood” panel discussion, speaking about the importance of roles for women and girls in film.
Thomas Middleditch’s Career
Although Thomas Middleditch is a relative newcomer to the acting scene, he has already carved out a place for himself amongst Hollywood’s elite. He is best known for his performances in “Stranger Things”, “Iron Fist”, “The Handmaid’s Tale” and “Game of Thrones”, the last of which he recently completed shooting. He also starred in the Woody Allen comedy “Candy Shop”, which premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival. Middleditch was a featured guest on this year’s “Women in Hollywood” panel discussion, speaking about the importance of roles for women and girls in film.
The Films of Malin Akerman and Angus MacLane
Award-winning actress Malin Akerman is best known for her role as Annie Wilkes in the 2002 cult classic “The House of Gucci”, as well as for writing and starring in the Hulu romantic comedy “The Heartbreak Prince”. She has also directed several short films, including “Stuck in Your Throat”, which she also starred in, and “The House of Gucci”, which she both wrote and directed. MacLane, who at age five was listed in the “Guinness Book of World Records” for being the youngest person to play a supporting role in a Hollywood movie, began his acting career at age 12 and went on to star in films such as “Mandy”, “8 Mile” and “Baggage Claim”. He recently released his first novel, “Songs of the Bear”, and is represented by the agency ICM.
The Role of the Media
One of the most interesting aspects of “Good Time” is that it focuses not only on the characters and the story, but also on the media that surrounds them. The movie is filled with references to social media, with Luke even dubbing the site “socialcomedy”; it’s even listed in the credits as a “Podcast”! The entire movie is a love letter to the social media generation and how they use their smartphones to keep connected with friends and loved ones, even when they’re thousands of miles away.
It’s been almost 20 years since the premiere of “Waiting for Godot” at the Sundance Film Festival, and since then, the world of film and television has changed tremendously. Netflix is now the go-to platform for original series, binge-worthy docudramas and unscripted movies; YouTube is home to celebrity makeup tutorials, fashion advice and cooking shows; and Snapchat keeps us entertained with a steady stream of content designed to disappear in a few seconds — like a good old-fashioned sitcom. The world of social media, and the role that the internet plays in our daily lives, continues to evolve as we know it.
While the nature of social media as a “business” keeps changing, the role that it plays in our lives as individuals does not. The movie “Good Time” is a love letter to social media, and what it means to be a part of the digital generation.
“Good Time” is now playing in theaters, and is also available On Demand from all major streaming services.