Good Bad Things

Danny (Danny Kurtzman) has MS and is recovering from a breakup. He and his best friend Jason (Brett Dier) own a small struggling ad company. They need to land the account of dating app company Rubi. Danny reluctantly signs up and gets a surpising match to beautiful photographer Madi (Jessica Parker Kennedy).

First, I'm not sure about their ad company. They don't seem to have any clients. They are working out of this big house. They have a few employees. I guess they could be a struggling ad company for good reasons. I thought they would use his naked pictures for their ad pitch as a closing scene. My other problem is some of the dialogue and monologues. They go on a little too long. They could be tighter and thereby be more impactful. I do like Danny's body image issue. Of course, Danny makes this indie a little different.

I just watched good bad things last weekend and I must say that the movie is beautifully acted and beautifully shot and even though there are problems in my opinion with the real portrayal of disability in the film, I would have loved to see more negotiation of the main characters care between the two main characters who were lovers. The emotions were real and raw and hit all in the right places for me I also like the fact that the main character was portrayed as a successful entrepreneur and even though this isn't the reality for most disabled people who live on social assistance of some kind it gives me the hope for the future that one day the world will see us this way.

Shane D. Stanger's Good Bad Things (2024) is a touching and inspiring film about the power of love in all its forms. With an engaging tale, outstanding acting, and stunning photography, this film is a must-see for anybody who believes in the transformational power of love. Simple story follows an app developer falling in love in a gorgeous photographer... but disability of one of the partners always rases doubts... is it real love, or is it something else?

One of the most notable aspects of Good Bad Things is the wonderful chemistry between the principal performers Danny Kurtzman and particularly Jessica Parker Kennedy, who excels as Madi - both subtle and compelling, as she moves through the depths of her character's emotions with grace and honesty. Her acting adds dimension to the film, and it's impossible not to root for her character's path to happiness.

"Love is the best part of life, and all we have to do is take a leap," a sentence told by Dannu's father, resonates throughout every scene of this delightful rom-com drama!

Have watched this movie several times, both in theater and on Amazon and truly love the story, the acting and the quiet way in which Danny gets into our hearts and how his story uncovers the universality of love, self-acceptance and doubts that plague all abilities. Authentic, funny, sad and novel and a true lesson about one's own implicit biases.

Danny is a compelling presence and when you experience his life that he bravely shares in the fictional character of himself, you come away with great respect. Kudos to the friendship that gave rise to this idea and to the Director who saw it through.

I rented Good Bad Things at the suggestion of two people whose opinions I respect highly, and I'm so glad I did. The movie was wonderful because it focused on the HUMAN relationships between Danny and Madi, as well as his prior girlfriend and the others in his orbit. His disability was clearly present, and so were the ways that Jason, Madi, his dad, and others helped manage access when needed, but it was not the story's main focus. Even in the moments it was considered, they took care to ask what he wanted, be sure he was ready to move/transfer, and to let him do for himself when he didn't need/want help - they helped, but he maintained autonomy.

The scene when Danny and Jason were pitching the execs at Rubi, when he let go of the foundering slide deck & rehearsed plan and just shared his experience of finding love through the app was a highlight of the interpersonal facet to me.

As one of the recommenders suggested, the movie shows all the NUANCE of navigating this world full of other people and their perceptions and assumptions, especially about love and relationships, and representation of disability as a context, not a focus - it's a powerful perspective.

I definitely recommend Good Bad Things to anyone who wants to see a solid love story amid the full variety of people and situations in the world.