Jake Gyllenhaal has portrayed an impressively dynamic array of characters since his first on-screen appearance back in 1991. In the following decades, the Academy Award-nominated actor has been at the forefront of many successful films, including Donnie Darko, Brokeback Mountain, and Spider-Man: Far From Home. In addition, Gyllenhaal has made a recent impact in the world of television with his Golden Globe-nominated performance in Apple TV+'s Presumed Innocent. Given his extensive filmography, it is no surprise that some of his characters aren't as well known as others. Not all of them can be as memorable as Lou Bloom in Nightcrawler or Detective Loki in Prisoners. However, fans should be sure to check out his performance in this 2002 film that also stars Jennifer Aniston.
The Good Girl, directed by Miguel Arteta, is a romantic comedy-drama that follows the developing relationship between two grocery store cashiers who are struggling to give their mundane lives further meaning. Given the film's star-studded cast, shocking twists, and humorous moments, viewers are sure to be entertained despite a few ridiculous (but funny) plot points. Although reviews for the film are mixed, The Good Girl is still a worthwhile watch, especially for fans of Gyllenhaal and Aniston.
Comedy and Drama Blend in 'The Good Girl'
Although the film finds its humor in interactions between characters, the problems they face are far from funny. The story follows Justine Last (Jennifer Aniston), who is a cashier who can't seem to escape from living the same boring work day over and over again. Unfortunately, going home fails to offer her any reprieve. When she does arrive, she often finds her husband Phil (John C. Reilly) and his friend Bubba (Tim Blake Nelson) sitting on the couch smoking weed. Justine desperately wants a child, something to give her life spontaneity, but she suspects that her husband is infertile. Suddenly, everything begins to change after she takes interest in another quiet and withdrawn cashier named Holden Worther (Jake Gyllenhaal).
Holden's life is equally unimpressive. He is a 22-year-old who lives with his parents after dropping out of college due to alcohol abuse. The job at the store functions to provide him with some routine and stability, but he resents it and wishes to follow his passion for writing. After meeting Justine, Holden becomes enamored with her and takes action to develop their friendly relationship into something further. Justine is conflicted because she wants to honor her husband and their marriage, but she can't help her growing romantic feelings toward Holden.
Gyllenhaal, Aniston, and Other Performances in 'The Good Girl'
Although the acting in The Good Girl is far from any of the stars' best performances, each member of the cast still draws audiences in with their subtle emotional storytelling. Aniston and Gyllenhaal clearly convey the internal turmoil and misery of their respective characters, causing audiences to sympathize with and even root for their sure-to-be-destructive relationship. The supporting cast, including John C. Reilly and Zooey Deschanel, are also believable in their roles. As Justine's husband, John C. Reilly brings a lot of humor to the film as he foolishly fails to understand Justine at every turn. Zooey Deschanel also nails the uninterested co-worker, always present but never really caring about the annoying drama that surrounds her.
Given the romantic elements of the film's narrative, it would also be expected for the leads to have some chemistry. Aniston and Gyllenhaal certainly do, even if their characters are often a little awkward around each other. Sometimes, Holden comes across as nervous around Justine. While this makes sense for the character, it might not result entirely from Gyllenhaal's acting. In a much later interview with People, he admitted to having a huge crush on Jennifer Aniston throughout the production of the film. Given Holden's motivations, any past feelings work well to further endear the troubled and complex character to the audience.
Critics Liked 'The Good Girl,' Audiences Not So Much
Surprisingly, the film performed better among critics than general audiences, with a Rotten Tomatoes score of 82% and 59%, respectively. The critics praised the film for its unpredictability, direction, and acting performances. They were impressed by both Aniston and Gyllenhaal's ability to bring comedic elements to their characters while offering audiences a glimpse into their somber emotional states. However, other critics felt the film lacked a sense of originality, considering its use of the doomed lovers trope.
General audiences weren't quite as impressed. Some echoed the same praise as the critics, but others called the film chaotic and hard to digest. Some audience members also felt the pacing was unsteady, especially in the slower first act. A majority of the criticism is directed at the story structure. There is not much surrounding the acting performances, but a few viewers noted that the characters were not likable due to their apathetic ways. Despite the mixed reviews, fans of Gyllenhaal and Aniston are likely to find something to enjoy. The Good Girl is available to stream on Hulu.
