Review of All Good Things (2010) by Charles S — 21 Jan 2012

Not sure if Ryan Gosling has ever been in a "Bad" Movie and watching "All Good Things" further proves my point. Inspired by the most notorious missing person's case in New York City history, Involving Katie Durst and Her husband, accused murderer Robert Durst. ALL GOOD THINGS is a love story and murder mystery set against the backdrop of a New York real estate dynasty in the 1980s.

It starts off like a romantic story of failed love, then it moves to a complicated thriller but the voice over questioning Ryan Gosling's character shows us a trial and we have to figure out what's happening and what happened. Based on a real life event the mysterious "All Good Things" is a great film that combines many different genres to create its story about relationships and what might cause its death, things like family pressures, different backgrounds, psychological problems, aggression and other things.

The love story of David (Gosling) and Katie (Kirsten Dunst) starts in the 1970's where he is a rich guy trying to run away from his father's (Frank Langella) control, a powerful man who wants a brilliant future for his son by working along in the family business, real estate. Kathy is a girl trying to succeed with a desire of studying medicine and she wants to start a family with David. They both love each other but then David begins to change from a loving man to a guy who barely has time for his wife, becoming more sinister to her, and working with his father in some complicated business has further pushed his fragile mind to it's limits. Since "All Good Things" is a film combining multiple genres into one thing some people will get confused, frustrated, and even annoyed by the story. It depends on the viewer, really.

What makes "All Good Things" a more appealing film is the great performances of Ryan Gosling and Kirsten Dunst. I've never been a huge admirer of Kristen Dunst but she nails this performance to the point you feel so bad for her. Ryan Gosling offer a multifaceted performance of the deeply disturbed David, He's just perfect and continues to make a name for himself as one of the best actors working today. Another performance that shouldn't be downplayed is the role Frank Langella played. He's absolutely superb as the heartless father who drives his family like cattle in the quest of power and wealth. The rest of the brilliant cast, includes the performances by Philip Baker Hall, Kristen Wiig and Lilly Rabe - daughter of the deceased Jill Clayburgh), has excellent cameo roles by Diane Venora, Trini Alvarado, David Margulies, Nick Offerman and many more.

The acting in the film is tremendous. Gosling, Dunst and Langella are top notch. Yes, Ms. Dunst provides what is easily her best screen performance ever. I recommend this film to anyone but especially to true crime buffs and people who are familiar with this decades-long story of secrecy and murder. While it may lack the conventional thrills and spills of fictional psychothrillers, "All Good Things" maintains a chilling, picturesque truthfulness to it, and for that, is a real winner in my book.