The Good Girl

A melancholy character study about a once ambitious small-town woman desperate to escape the malaise of her monotonous life, this honest, well-crafted, unsentimental and modest low-budget effort from the writer (Mike White) and director (Miguel Arteta) of 2000's awkward stalker indie buzz flick Chuck & Buck is a film in which the talent is undeniable but the results are underwhelming. In a very strong title performance, Jennifer Aniston effectively manifests, in downcast body language, the ennui of years in discount-retail hell, the desperation of being tethered to a lay-about, stoner husband (John C. Reilly), and the regret of never having realized (let alone pursued) any of her dreams. Also worth noting is the sublimely talented Jake Gyllenhaal (Donnie Darko, Bubble Boy), who wears his complex misanthropy on his sleeve as a sullen, taciturn, unstable 22-year-old with whom she has an ill-advised affair. But despite the strength of these and other empathetic performances, The Good Girl never quite realizes the caustic poignancy for which it's ultimately aiming. A strong optional purchase. [Note: DVD extras include full and widescreen versions, feature-length audio commentary by director Miguel Arteta and writer-costar Mike White, scene-specific commentary by costar Jennifer Aniston, nine deleted scenes with optional director commentary, a brief alternate ending montage, and a gag reel. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a spunky little film.] (R. Blackwelder)