Review of All Good Things (2010) by Justin V — 26 Feb 2013

For the most part this is a good feature, a based on true events thriller in the same vein as 1990's Reversal of Fortune. This is, (I hesitate to call it a gem) outside of its deliberate pacing, a well-made film. Andrew Jarecki did a great job with Marc Smerling and Marcus Hinchey's script, and coaxed two great performances from Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. Considering her body of work it's safe to to say this may be one of Dunst's best efforts, rivaled only by her award-winning turn in Melancholia. And Gosling makes a superb metamorphosis from hippie to businessman to mysterious loner who may or may have not killed Dunst's Katie Marks (to this day still considered missing), and is linked to other reprehensible crimes.

The mood is sullen throughout so the initial love story doesn't sync with the film's ultimate destination. Combined with the already mentioned slow pace, this could easily dissuade viewers. But the performances are good enough to possibly save some. Overall, All Good Things is a haunting and sad reminder that those closest to you will hurt you the most, sometimes mortally. JV.