Nice Guy Johnny

I'm a big fan of Ed Burns movies normally. This one is ok.

A very funny, yet solid storyline. Bright and full of laughs, as surely we all identify with that big decision- follow our dreams and our hearts OR do the easiest thing with the greatest promised reward. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. Yes there is profanity, sexual innuendo and drug/alcohol use. Where isn't there? It was never gratuitous. I was fortunate enough to see this at the Savannah Film Festival and listen as Mr. Burns' spoke about his decision to make this movie, using fresh talent who pegged what I believe his intention when he wrote it. All 20somethings should watch and heed; us 30somethings look back and wish we had.

This picture had some sweet moments. I'm actually o.k. with the lead looking so young and sounding even younger, because in real life he is the age that he was playing. That made things more interesting.

Even short, skinny, passive guys can find girlfriends. Especially if the guy is a gentleman. If the actor had been more "normal," this movie would have been more common.

The fiancée was also well cast. Not a beauty. Just a generic spoiled East Coast girl. Of course a controlling girl is going to choose a puppy dog guy.

While I am totally turned off by "free spirited" girls, I think the gal who played this did it quite efficiently. When she confessed that she had never been in love, I believed her. That was one of the poignant moments.

The reason this blonde went for this guy is because she had already been burned by the "player" type too many times. Even though he is a wimp, he's a good listener and trustworthy and that appealed to her. Plus, opposites attract. She could change him.

Having said all that, there wasn't sufficient character development. There had to be more background on how this guy became the way he is, what his parents are like, why he's wearing a cross, and why he likes sports.

Was he a frustrated athlete? We saw that he couldn't play tennis. Did he always wish he could be an alpha-dog like athletes? What did the blonde tennis girl mean about her dad wanting certain things for her? What happened with her ex in Los Angeles? Ed Burns turned in his usual almost-amoral player persona. That guy he always plays does however have a heart for those who are truly close to him. It would be easy to say that his character just wanted to have a partner in crime so he wouldn't feel guilty, but in truth, he saw that his nephew needed help.

There's also a terrific scene with an older actor who plays the lead's future father-in-law. The guy could not have made much money for this, but he gave it his all.

The photography is good, the plot predictable, and the length a bit too long, but the sweet moments redeemed this one and saved it from oblivion. T

Johnny (Max Bush) lives in the Frisco area and has a late night job as a sports radio host. This is a position he loves. But, it doesn't pay well and there are no prospects for advancement. Therefore, he must abide by a promise he made to his overbearing fiancé. As his 25th birthday approaches, he will apply for a job in her dad's moving box manufacturing business, back in New York City. As he truly is a nice guy, Johnny believes in fidelity and keeping his promises. But, when he hits Manhattan and stops for a drink at his Uncle Terry's (Edward Burns) bar, he immediately is face to face with the opposition. Uncle Terry doesn't want him to give up his dream job, doesn't trust his fiancé and thinks his nephew is too young to marry. As Terry throws out statements trying to break Johnny's resolve, John stays true to his word. UNTIL, Terry takes him to a stay in the Hamptons, where he meets a beautiful tennis instructor (Kerry Bishee). Soon a conversation turns into a beer on the beach and so on. Will Johnny come around to his uncle's way of thinking? This intelligent, vibrant film is another winner from Burns, who acts, writes, and directs his work. Known for countless other films, like The Brothers McMullen, She's the One, Sidewalks on New York, and the great Looking for Kitty, Burns is in a class by himself. This viewer's only wish is that he continues to keep making movies until he can't stand up any more. The cast here, not well known, is great while sets, costumes, script and direction are absolutely wonderful. The only minor problem for some viewers will be the use of profanity, quite often. Nevertheless, if you can ignore this element, the movie is a great exploration of life's choices. NGJ is a more than nice, more than entertaining, and just right view for the near future.

I am a member of the "Team Edward" team (not the one you are thinking). I am referring to those that have always thought that Writer-Director Edward Burns is one of the most talented independent movie filmmakers of our generation. I know that "Team Edward" lacks membership; due to the fact that many critics and filmgoers have not been nice guys and girls to Burns by ridiculing his movies of the last decade. However, I still think Burns is tops when it comes to creating relatable characters going through emotional and romantic turmoil, and using the city of New York as an effective backdrop. Burns' screenplays speak the words of what real people say when they go through trials & tribulations with lovers, family, and friends. In his latest flick "Nice Guy Johnny", Burns still contributes the equivalent witty dialogue of his past independent movies, but the film's premise falls a little short on sheer entertainment value. Matt Bush stars as Johnny, an amateurish sports talk radio host in Oakland who is pressured by his nagging fiancé to go to New York to interview for a cardboard company administrative position against his wishes. Johnny's dream is to excel in the sports radio arts even though his fiancée Claire is not too clairvoyant by not supporting him on his career goals. Johnny does not make the cash flow that Claire is insisting on so therefore she literally ships Johnny to New York to interview for the cardboard position that was hooked up by Claire's domineering father. Johnny, who is originally from New York, gets to visit his parents in the Hamptons in his New York visit; and also meets up with his chauvinistic easy-going Uncle Terry. Terry, played by Burns, is the antithesis of Johnny. He is a womanizing, selfish, and manipulative lothario who has plenty of married female sexual partners who he uses to not only fulfill his sexual craving, but to also borrow their cars & homes at his "free-will". Johnny is initially reluctant to hang with Uncle Terry during his New York stay, but eventually decides to join Terry in a drive to the Hamptons. During their Hamptons stop, Terry introduces Johnny to Brooke; the tennis instructor of one of Terry's married female conquests. Brooke's beauty and bohemian ways attracts Johnny to her, even though he is set on his ways on being faithful to Claire. Will Johnny cheat on Claire? Will Brooke break the faithful tide? Is the cardboard job in the cards for Johnny? Well, you got to spend some time with "Nice Guy Johnny" to find that out. The premise of the movie is not too uncommon in film narratives of the romantic-comedy genre: a controlled dude in a relationship pressured by a self-centered female to bring home the bacon or else she will bail. But the premise is not the nice part of "Nice Guy Johnny"; it is Burns' genuine screenplay that plays a nice part to the story. Even though Burns has played the same scheming character in a few of his past flicks, I still think he was very good in his performance as Uncle Terry. Matt Bush overacted at times with his mediocre starring performance as Johnny, and Kerry Bishe was not OK with her monotone mode in her portrayal of Brooke. It is not one of Burns' best, but "Nice Guy Johnny" is nice enough to check out. **** Good