Described by wikipedia as a romantic comedy, Good Dick is neither romantic or funny. The nameless main character (played by Jason Ritter) is a homeless video clerk who becomes obsessed with a shy, drugged-looking woman (played by writer/diretor/producer Mariana Palka) who likes to rent porn with no penetration. The movie follows this unlikely pair and their slow evolution into a relationship. While on paper this sounds like a pretty intesting-- even if a bit cliche-- idea, in reality the product portrays the characters as completely unrelateable and unrealistic. Spoilers ahead so beware.
The main characters have absolutely close to no chemistry and their attitude is constantly shifting from in love to hating each other. Bi-polar does not even begin to describe their relationship. It starts out as a "sexy stalking" and ultimately it turns into a "playful molestation". It's frankly kind of offensive.
Among the bright spots in this movie are the supporting cast. The friends (Martin Starr, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World's Mark Webber) play well off each other and the recurring joke of finding the clitoris does not grow tired (unlike the main plot). I am very happy to see that Mark Webber is a solid enough actor and I feel confident about his Stephen Stills casting.
It should also be said that Mariana Palka is a much better director than actress or writer. The scenes flow into each other almost seamlessly and they are far from flat, boring or predictable. It is a well paced movie with average to good acting. The writing, however, destroys this film and prevents it from being anything other than terrible.
Overall the movie tries to hard to find a unique story about two people falling in love while distancing itself from mainstream efforts--except it goes too far and becomes completely unrecognizable as something possibly real. It -- despite its best intentions-- just drifts away into a land of make believe where sexually molested women would fall in love with obsessive stalkers.
Mariana Palka moments after realizing how terrible this movie is
RATING: 1/5
