A Good Person (2023)
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An aspiring musician struggles to find redemption and sobriety after a tragic car accident leaves her burdened by immense guilt.
The story
Allison, an aspiring musician engaged to her high school boyfriend Nathan, lives a life that is shattered following a devastating car crash. While driving with her eyes off the road, she kills Nathan's sister Molly and Molly's husband, while sustaining critical injuries herself. One year later, Allison is struggling with severe depression, guilt, and an addiction to pain pills while living with her mother. Seeking a way out of her downward spiral, she joins an AA group where she encounters Daniel, the ex-cop father of Molly's daughter, Ryan. The film follows Allison's arduous journey toward acceptance and recovery as she navigates the consequences of her actions.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Allison is an aspiring musician engaged to her high school boyfriend, Nathan. Following their engagement party, Allison causes a car crash that kills Nathan's sister Molly and Molly's husband, leaving her with critical injuries. A year later, Allison lives with her mother, Diane, struggling with depression and a pain pill addiction. She joins an AA group and meets Daniel, Molly's ex-cop father, who reveals his own history of violent behavior during alcohol-induced blackouts. Daniel's daughter, Ryan, is bullied and still processing the loss of her parents. When Allison meets Daniel, Ryan confronts her about her responsibility for their deaths, causing Allison to relapse. Later, Ryan invites Allison and Nathan to a concert; at an after-party, Allison relapses and is unable to protect Ryan from being taken advantage of. Daniel intervenes with a handgun, but Nathan steps in to stop him. Daniel eventually insults Allison, viewing her as a waste. Accepting her role in the crash, Allison enters rehab. A year later, she begins writing songs again and reacquaints with Nathan. Daniel passes away, leaving Ryan in their care. At the funeral, Allison finds a letter from Daniel explaining his thoughts and the meaning of his 'amor fati' tattoo. The film ends with Ryan and Allison embracing.
- First release year
- 2023
- Runtime (minutes)
- 129
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Zach Braff
- Writers
- Zach Braff · writer; Zach Braff · director; Zach Braff · producer
- Cast and characters
- Florence Pugh; Morgan Freeman; Celeste O'Connor; Molly Shannon; Chinaza Uche; Zoe Lister-Jones; Drew Gehling · Max; Jessie Mueller · Sandra Keen
- Genres
- drama
- Themes
- Grief; Addiction; Guilt; Redemption; Forgiveness
- Tone and mood
- Somber; Dramatic; Emotional
- Premise and plot tags
- Drama; Alcoholism; Substance Abuse; Grief
- Reception
- The film received a mixed response from critics.
- Reported review scores
- Metacritic · score: 50 · scale: 100 · review count: 32
- Awards and nominations
- Best Original Song in an Independent Film · Hollywood Music in Media Awards · 14th · Nomination; Best Actor in a Film · BAFTA Scotland Award · Nomination
- Production trivia
- Filming took place at Columbia High School, Zach Braff's alma mater, in Maplewood, New Jersey.; The film was released on Blu-ray on May 30.; The film grossed $3.1 million worldwide.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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