The story is about a small town and how life sucks for almost everyone. And we see a depiction of the various coping mechanisms - taking it with humor, the dire situation fueling aggression, escapism, acceptance and resilience. It's quite an interesting theme. Unfortunately the comparison between the different ways of handling life falls short and the focus lying solely on Webber's and Deschanel's character makes the movie one sided and weakens the whole premise. This and the attempt to give the movie a melancholic undertone makes it rather boring to watch. With less stereotyping of the other characters and a more in depth portrayal of them could have made the movie a really good one.Overall: It's not bad and definitely worth watching on a lazy Sunday - it just doesn't live up to it's potential.

This is a quiet movie that builds in power over time. It's a slice of life movie, but much more. It tells a story of how powerful the need to escape can be, but how this need, by its very strength, can make you its slave. The cast is amazing, and the pacing is hypnotic. The leads are perfect and totally engrossing. Often movies like this skimp on plot, but I was very satisfied the movie has a very interesting plot twist 2/3rd through, that makes you reevaluate everything you've seen so far. Yet this twist is completely organic to the story, not something thrown in from outside. Very deftly handled. Well done. Though I don't know why Canadians have to pretend their movies take place in the US, when they take place in Manitoba.

Imagine the life of Jason, a sensitive man suffering from a strange illness, Alopecia, that made him lose his hair. When we meet him, he is working at his daytime job in a desolate gas station. At night, Jason works at the old movie theater that Gus has run for many years. Jason's life is at the center of this bleak story that will reward the viewer that takes a look at it without any expectation. The opening sequence shows Jason walking toward a crowded downtown area with a gun in his hand, something that gives us an indication of the desperation going on his mind.Life in Lincoln, Nebraska for Jason and his mother is not exactly what one would expect. They are hardly making a living; their electric bill has not been paid in quite a while, and the house has seen better days. Yet, for all the problems Jason has to face on a daily basis, he is not bitter at all.Hope arrives in the form of Frances, a kind soul that loves to watch the old movies shown at the Capitol. She bonds with Jason in many ways that might lead us to believe they will go beyond the friendship into something deeper. Yet, Frances has the opposite effect on Jason when he discovers she has been telling hims lies based on borrowed lives of larger than life stars, like Judy Garland, one of her favorites. Jason comes to an abrupt decision after he finds Gus dead in the projection room. The idea of losing his one true friend serves as a waking call for Jason to escape to a different kind of life and leave his miserable days behind. Meeting Robbie, the strange fellow that is attracted by the old films, makes Jason realize how cruel Frances has been to him, while at the same time, going to Robbie's apartment makes one think that perhaps he was looking for an affection, any kind of affection, being from Frances, or from this man."The Good Life" is one of the most misleading titles for an Indie in recent memory because it is not exactly a film that is uplifting, yet, it has some positive message in the way things turn out. Director Stephen Berra shows great promise with this movie that he also wrote. Mr. Berra's second movie shows a sensitivity that in someone else's hand could have turned in another direction. He is to be commended by the performances he got from his cast. Best of all is Mark Webber who makes a great appearance in the leading role. Mr. Webber has been involved in a lot of worthwhile movies and has a bright future that one hopes will take him far. Zooey Deschanel is perfect as Frances, the dippy girl that brings some happiness to Jason while not telling him the truth about herself. Harry Dean Stanton is seen as Gus, the older man whose life has changed after his wife died. Bill Paxton, Patrick Fugit, Chris Klein, Drea DeMatteo, Deborah Rush and Bruce McGill are part of the ensemble players.Patrice Lucien Cochet does justice to the seedy backgrounds where this dark movie takes place. Don Davis incidental music is also effective. The film is worth a look by discerning fans of this genre because the good work of Mr. Berra and his star, Mark Webber.

Given there's already quite a number of reviews of The Good Life--it did play at Sundance, after all, I'm not going to discuss the plot of the film, except to briefly say that it's a film about the suffering and isolation of one man, Jason, in a town he's trapped in for all the wrong reasons. He is surrounded by deceitful and manipulative individuals who do nothing but bring him down and pull him further and further into desolation. That is, except for his one true friend, Gus, an old man who owns a neighborhood theater. The film deals with themes and perspectives and actions viewers don't typically find appealing on screen--and it is largely depressing. Reviews are mixed for this film, as to be expected. Some find the film hopeful or inspiring at the end--I just see it as survival.The well-fleshed out characters in this gloomy tale are all impressively played. Mark Webber's performance as Jason is incredibly riveting and believable. As for Chris Klein, I agree with some critics who believe this might be his best role yet. Zooey Deschanel manipulates me into loving her once again. Bill Paxton's character is quirky and odd and gay, and Bill pulls it off perfectly. Gus, however, is probably my favorite character. I kept looking over at Harry Dean Stanton, who gives a heartfelt performance as a dying man, wondering, as the film progressed, how he felt watching himself play this character--at his age--and how it effects him. Of course, he's far more active than Gus...(on my blog there was a picture of Harry Dean waving his hands in the theater at the audience, announcing "I am not a crook.")Professional skateboarder Stephen Berra has written and directed a truly important film, built on decent story and cemented together with remarkable performances from the actors. Berra's portrait of small town America manufactures a painful environment which grabs the viewer by the throat. The film doesn't necessarily say anything new or even profound for that matter, but it's certainly an emotional experience I won't soon forget.