RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
RT's Blu-ray HQ
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | In Theaters
  • | Opening
  • | Upcoming
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / The Good Night
The Good Night

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Get this Movie
  • Buy Poster External Icon
Bookmark and Share

The Good Night (2007)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
33 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:9

Fresh:3

Rotten:6

Average Rating:5/10

Consensus: That The Good Night is the work of a first-time writer/director is apparent, as the story feels disjointed and never connects with the audience.

Rated: R

Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Oct 5, 2007 Limited

Synopsis: Jake Paltrow directs his sister Gwyneth in this take on the midlife crisis. Gary (Martin Freeman) was once riding high as the member of a successful pop band. Now, seven years later, the band is no... Jake Paltrow directs his sister Gwyneth in this take on the midlife crisis. Gary (Martin Freeman) was once riding high as the member of a successful pop band. Now, seven years later, the band is no more and he pays the bills by composing mediocre music for commercials. To further add to his unhappiness, his relationship with his girlfriend, Dora (Paltrow), appears to be on its last legs. The only thing Gary looks forward to anymore is sleeping--so that he might have a reoccurring dream about a beautiful mystery woman he calls Anna (Penelope Cruz). He even goes so far as to take dream workshops taught by a scruffy eccentric named Mel (Danny Devito), in the hopes of prolonging his experiences in his subconscious. He soon becomes obsessed with escaping into his dreamworld, and his real life begins to fall apart. Depressed and confused, he finally has a revelatory dream wherein he realizes he needs to make a major change and return to reality. He plots a grand romantic gesture to get his life back on track, but the plan backfires with rather shocking and tragic results. Martin Freeman gives an endearing performance as the befuddled Gary, and Gwyneth Paltrow is splendidly obnoxious as the nagging, frowning Dora. Viewers should take note, while THE GOOD NIGHT is billed as a romantic comedy, it's definitely not standard fare. It certainly has its share of laughs and feel good moments, but it also has some pretty dark undertones that one doesn't usually find in the rom-com genre. [More]

Starring: Martin Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Penelope Cruz, Simon Pegg

Starring: Martin Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, Penelope Cruz, Simon Pegg, Danny De Vito, Keith Allen, Michael Gambon

Director: Jake Paltrow

Director: Jake Paltrow
Screenwriter: Jake Paltrow
Producer: Donna Gigliotti, Bill Johnson
Composer: Alec Puro
Studio: Yari Film Group

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
1 - 5 of 10

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Get This Movie

Rent DVD
 
 

Click on the "ADD" button to put this movie into your Netflix queue.

 
 
Buy DVD
 
 
Release:

Apr 1, 2008

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • Penélope Cruz, Martin Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Danny DeVito co-star in this wry look at an obsessed man who will do anything to make his passion-filled dream life a reality. Gary Sheller (Freeman) is caught in a midlife crisis: dead-end job, depressing life and a deteriorating relationship with his girlfriend Dora (Paltrow). That is, until he meets Anna (Cruz), the girl of his dreams. Able to see her only while asleep, Gary seeks out an expert on lucid dreaming techniques (DeVito) who agrees to help Gary carry on the most satisfying relationship of his life. But as Gary continues to shun reality, his waking life troubles only worsen in this illuminating dark comedy.
  • Source: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
  •  
     
     
     

    Reviews for The Good Night

    • T-Meter Critics
    • Top Critics
    • RT Community
    • My Critics
    • My Friends
    • DVD
     
     
    1 - 9 (sorted by date)
    Text View
    Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
     
     

    The sort of movie you forget even as you're watching it.

    Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
    10/05/07
    Lou Lumenick
    Lou Lumenick
    New York Post
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    As thin and wispy as a dream you can't quite remember in the morning.

    Full Review Source: New York Daily News | comment Comment
    10/05/07
    Jack Mathews
    Jack Mathews
    New York Daily News
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The comedy of male midlife angst dates back at least to The Seven-Year Itch, when it was sweet and innocent. Each time it is recycled, it gets more sour and joyless.

    comment Comment
    10/05/07
    Stephen Holden
    Stephen Holden
    New York Times
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The Good Night has flashes of bookish wit, but never quite recovers from the metronomic monotony of its first half.

    Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
    10/04/07
    Jan Stuart
    Jan Stuart
    Newsday
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The Good Night doesn't quite comfortably synthesize all the notions writer-director Jake Paltrow wants to play with in his feature debut. But the filmmaker's got good taste -- and luck -- in casting.

    Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
    10/03/07
    Lisa Schwarzbaum
    Lisa Schwarzbaum
    Entertainment Weekly
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Director Jake Paltrow's feature debut has all the hallmarks of an earnest young man's feature debut, and while that is not necessarily a bad thing, I can only imagine that it fit Sundance like a fingerless glove when it had its premiere there.

    Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
    10/02/07
    Michelle Orange
    Michelle Orange
    Village Voice
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    The Good Night takes familiar (embarrassingly familiar) male-angst material and makes it go loop-de-loop, so that the jokes hit you from behind and underneath while the bleakness smacks you in the face.

    Full Review Source: New York Magazine | comment Comment
    10/01/07
    David Edelstein
    David Edelstein
    New York Magazine
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    Jake Paltrow's first feature delves assuredly into the mind of a lost soul who literally encounters the woman of his dreams.

    Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
    01/27/07
    Justin Chang
    Justin Chang
    Variety
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic

    There is a fine idea for a romantic comedy in Jake Paltrow's The Good Night but the writer-director, in his debut feature, never develops it much beyond the idea stage.

    Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
    01/27/07
    Kirk Honeycutt
    Kirk Honeycutt
    Hollywood Reporter
    Top Critic Icon Top Critic
     
     
    1 - 9 (sorted by date)
    Text View
    all

    Latest News for The Good Night

    March 31, 2008: RT on DVD: Oscar-Winning Sweeney Todd Slashes Away The Competition
    Attend the tale of Sweeney Todd as Tim Burton's deliciously gory operetta-turned-film spectacle comes to DVD, the critical superior to the CGI/live-action Alvin and the... More...

    October 04, 2007: Critical Consensus: Heartbreak Needs Discipline, Jane Worth Perusing, Seeker Reeks
    This week at the movies, we've got honeymooners (The Heartbreak Kid, starring Ben Stiller and Michelle Monhagan), teenage heroes (The Seeker, starring Alexander Ludwig),... More...

    September 30, 2007: This sleepyhead Prince Charming is in for a rude awakening when the choosy, chain smoking Anna, actual female that she is, finds him an annoying loser, and at best undesirable. Au revoir, unconditional love. Someone wake me when it's over. Opens in new window
    More...

    August 23, 2007: Kid brother Jake Paltrow gets behind the camera to direct celeb sibling Gwyneth in a cerebral yarn about a failed musician who compensates for a bummer of a life by falling in love with the woman of his dreams literally, that he visits in his sleep. Opens in new window
    More...

    See All

    More DVDs

    Close
    Top Rentals
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    44% 44% Night at the Museum: B…
    32% 32% Terminator Salvation
    36% 36% Angels & Demons
    95% 95% Star Trek
    25% 25% Four Christmases

    More Rentals…

    New On DVD This Week
    Tomatometer Percentage Movie
    83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
    67% 67% Public Enemies
    75% 75% Julie & Julia
    95% 95% The Cove
    85% 85% World's Greatest Dad

    More New Releases…

    See All

    RT On Current TV

    The Rotten Tomatoes Show on Current TV

    DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...

    Learn how you can be part of the show

    More...

    What’s Hot On RT

    Clint Eastwood

    Clint Eastwood

    Take a trip through Clint Eastwood's career!

    Disney Countdown

    Disney Countdown

    RT looks at Disney's best animated movies!

    Awards Tour

    Awards Tour

    Get the latest nominations and awards news!

    Sherlock Holmes

    Sherlock Holmes

    Go behind the scenes with the cast!

    Other News

    Close
    • Top Stories
    • Popular
    • Interviews
     
     

    Comments

     
     
    Top Stories
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Marvel Begins Iron Man 2 Viral Campaign Source: Superhero Hype
    4
    • Bryce Dallas Howard Talks Spider-Man 4, Terminator, and Twilight Source: ComingSoon.net
    12
    • David Lynch Says He Turned Down Return of the Jedi Source: CinemaBlend.com
    32
    • Thomas Dolby Starts a Star Wars Rumor Source: Ain't It Cool News
    31
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    51
    • The Twilight Saga: Eclipse Headed for IMAX Source: Collider.com
    48
    • James Cameron Developing Sci-Fi Film for Fox Source: ComingSoon.net
    10
    • Peter Jackson Reveals Which LotR Characters Will Return for The Hobbit Source: MTV
    26
    • Josh Brolin Rumored for Men in Black 3 Source: Los Angeles Times
    26
    • Malkovich and Hathaway Rumored for Spider-Man 4 Source: Movieline
    90
    Popular
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Total Recall: Keith David's Best Movies
    65
    • Five Favorite Films With Avatar's Sam Worthington
    51
    • Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
    41
    • Weekly Ketchup: Tron Team to Remake The Black Hole
    37
    • The Gimmicks That Changed Cinema: Part 1
    34
    • Box Office Guru Wrapup: The Blind Side Takes the Lead
    29
    • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Harry Potter, and more!
    24
    • Help Us Choose the Community Golden Tomato Award
    22
    • Awards Tour: D.C. Film Critics Name Up in the Air as Year's Best
    18
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    17
    Interviews
    Headlines Comments
      
    • Robert Downey Jr. talks Sherlock Holmes & Iron Man 2 - RT Interview
    17
    • Five Favorite Films With Avatar's Sam Worthington
    51
    • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
    2
    • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
    17
    • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
    12
    • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
    23
    • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
    8
    • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
    15
    • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
    23
    • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
    9
     
     

    Sponsored Links

    Around The Network

    • The Good Night at Rotten Tomatoes

    Fresh Links

    Featured
    Best Sci-Fi This Decade
    Best Sci-Fi This Decade External Link

    Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

    40 Worst Films of the 2000s
    40 Worst Films of the 2000s External Link

    Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

    10 Questions For Zac Efron
    10 Questions For Zac Efron External Link

    The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

    Best Decade Ever!
    Best Decade Ever! External Link

    Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure
    Pee-Wee's Big Adventure External Link

    In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.

    Promos
    Follow RT on Twitter
    Follow RT on Twitter External Link

    Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!

     
     
    About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Games| Celebs List| Newsletter
    IGN Logo

    IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
    TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
    AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


    By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
    Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
    IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
    Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.