Review of Good (2008) by Kerry L — 26 Sep 2010

A man and his decisions, and the build up of consequence. Its quite thought provoking but using Nazi Germany as its subject matter, its using the Extreme of the question "what would you do, if it happened to you?".

John Halder is a university professer, wary of the nazis, even anti nazi. He leads a fair life, looking after his sick mother, his neorotic wife, but ultimately falling in love with one of his students. His wife shows no resentment, but this clearly plays on his conscience.

Invited by the nazis, he is both seduced and fealful of them, when they ask for him to write a Pro - Euthanasia paper, and inclusively a honourable party member, if not to himself at least, an active member.

The other key relationship of the film, is his best friend Maurice a German Jew, and this is one of the best dynamics of the film. While Halder is passive and easy going, Maurice is stong minded and outspoken and is whom Halder clearly looks up and respects. However of course the more involved Halder reluctantly becomes in representing the nazis, the strain on there friendship increases.

The massive flaw with the film in my opinion is first, the use of music. Whenever Halder is pushed into something he hear voices singing, and the sound of music and he gets lost within it. This to me is very 'Trippy' and I cant take it seriously.

Also the final scene which is as sultil as a sledgehammer on glass. After years of keeping his head down and out of affairs, sees himself arrive as a commodore at a nazi death camp, where youve guessed it he finally realised the mistake he's made. Personally I think had he found a list of names, and there deaths on a piece of paper, hundreds and thousands all there, and the realisation of what was happening would of been much more effective. Its just too obvious a ending.