Reviewed by Melissa Garza
I had seen the cover for “All Good Things” in a Red Box and the synopsis sounded interesting. The film begins in the late 1970s and follows the son of a real estate tycoon David Marks (Ryan Gosling) who falls in love and marries working-class girl Katherine (Kristen Dunst). Not wanting any part of his father’s business, he ventures off with his wife and begins a health food store called “All Good Things.”
Soon, David’s father Sanford (Frank Langella) lures him back into the real estate business telling him that he needs to do so to care for Katherine properly. Katherine on the other hand is happy without all the money and simply wants her happy life with David.
That dreams soon gets shattered as David becomes controlling and starts acting crazy. Soon it’s revealed that as a young boy he
witnessed his mother jump to her death. Katherine does her best to be the best wife she can, but when she becomes pregnant he forces her to have an abortion. Things further deteriorate as he becomes violent. She attempts to leave several times, and then one day in 1982 she disappears. Everyone believes that he killed her, but he never formerly becomes a suspect.
In early 2000, the missing person case is reopened. Dave hidesout in a small apartment. He dresses in drag and pretends to be a mute. Decades later, his friend Deborah (Lily Rabe) who was around during the orignal murder and stood by David begins to blackmail him for money. Days before she is to be brought in and interviewed by the police, she is murdered execution style.
Then, David’s elderly neighbor who is far from an innocent man is killed. David swears it is self-defense. He only admits to dismembering the body out of fear he would be railroaded.
The movie on its own is an interesting tale. When compounded by the fact that the story is true – it’s a must watch. “All Good Things” was based on the life of Robert Durst, who like David was the son of a real estate mogul. Much of the movie is nearly identical to the facts, even up to the health food store called “All Good Things.” The missing person case is intriguing and the subsquent murders really put into perspective the depth of the main character’s insanity.
After the movie is over, one is inclined to start researching everything they can find on this case as its horrifyingly interesting.
The acting is also topnotch. Ryan Gosling is one of my favorite under-utilized actors. I am a girl so I’m legally allowed to love “The Notebook.” Still, I prefer him in his films “Half Nelson” and “The Believer.” Both show his virsatility as an actor. He further proves that in this movie playing not only the youthful David but an elderly one as well. He shows both the charm that Katherine fell in love with and the slowly developing insanity that made her fear him.
Kirsten Dunst is an actress that I never felt got a fair shake after the “Spiderman” franchise. Her best work by far was in a lesser known film “The Cat’s Meow” where she plays the late great Marion Davies. In that movie she is spectacular and is spot on in her portrayal. Even in her fun movies like “Bring it On” (again – girl here) she does well. She has a spunky style yet can be in harder films and still do a great job. Though beautiful she can easily play the girl-next-door and despite her being able to portray Reese Witherspoon-esque flighy characters, she can also play strong women. I would love to see her in a movie like “Fatal Attraction” or “Play Misty for Me” where she is an antagonist.
Frank Langella too did an amazing job though that’s of little surprise to anyone. He portrays every character brilliantly. One of my favorite movies Frost/Nixon, we were able to see him portray Richard Nixon perfectly.
It was also great to hear John Cullum throughout the movie and see him near the end as his character intergorated David on the witness stand. He has such a unique voice that immeidatley upon hearing him speak, I knew I was in for a treat. Anytime he graces an episode of Law and Order SVU, I know it’s going to be one of their best. He’s a fantastic actor who I”m always happy to see in nearly any role.
Scared Stiff Rating 8/10….and an extra point because Frank Langella was Skeletor
