India Donaldson's "Good One" is a masterclass in navigating the emotional undercurrents of storytelling. With her actors James LeGros, Danny McCarthy, and Lily Collias, Donaldson puts trust in the power of unsaid occurrences to tell their tale.
The film follows lifelong friends Chris (played by Le Gros) and Matt (by McCarthy) who, along with Chris's 17-year-old daughter Sam (played by Collias), embark on a grueling three-day hiking trip. With Matt's son pulling out, Sam is left in the company of these adults. The journey highlights the complexities of their relationship, and reflects on the isolation and vulnerability of Sam within this grown-up dynamic.
The beauty of "Good One" lies in its refusal to succumb to over-explanation or superficial resolutions. It immerses viewers in an increasingly claustrophobic ambience, forcing them to understand the complexities of interpersonal relationships and a young girl's plight within this world.
The exterior spans majority of the film, against the backdrop of lush greenery and panoramic views, aptly captured by cinematographer Wilson Cameron. One can't help but appreciate the breath-taking framing that sometimes crams characters into a single view. Accompanied by vivid sounds of the natural wilderness, the film prefers silence over forced dialogue.
Yet the film’s most captivating visual lies in the performance of Lily Collias. Her portrayal of Sam, a teenager in the precipice of a life-altering insight, is acted out through her expressive face. This constitutes the depth of this narrative - the internal shift within Sam.
As the trio ends their trip, Sam's transformation highlights the core theme of "Good One", a film that trusts the potency of the implicit and the power of showing over telling. Through its understated approach, the film instigates discussion and invites viewers to delve deeper and in turn, appreciate the art of silent storytelling.
