3.0 out of 5 star rating
As a movie buff with a penchant for dark comedies and a heart that leans towards stories of loss and redemption, I found myself both intrigued and underwhelmed by “No Good Deed.” The cast is stellar, with familiar faces like Ray Romano, Lisa Kudrow, Linda Cardellini, and Abbi Jacobson, but the storyline left me longing for a more cohesive narrative.
Liz Feldman’s initial venture post-popular and captivating Dead to Me is a new Netflix series with a darkly comical theme, centering around real estate transactions, specifically the selling of a home.
In a new movie titled “No Good Deed,” Ray Romano and Lisa Kudrow play husband and wife, Paul and Lydia Morgan, who decide to sell their family residence. A plethora of potential buyers express interest in the property.
The Spanish villa-style property is not only visually appealing, but it also resides in the highly sought-after Los Feliz district of LA. This location has sparked fierce bidding wars among three couples: Margo (previously seen on Dead to Me with Linda Cardellini) and her partner JD, Carla and Dennis, and Leslie and Sarah.
However, Lydia, once a pianist with the Philharmonic, hesitates to sell her house, as parting from it means she’d have to depart from the teenage son she lost and whose room filled with LA Dodgers memorabilia remains undisturbed following his tragic demise.
Kudrow has built a career on comedic performances, but there is a palpable authenticity to her grief here. Watching her agonise over not being able to play her piano, something she hasn’t done since the death of her child, is desperately sad.
When Paul continually dismisses and ridicules her belief that their son’s spirit is talking to her through the lights in his room, it’s hard not to feel empathy for her.
In the world of movies, like how the heart-wrenching grief over losing a dear one keeps Dead to Me grounded amidst the escalating turmoil, for me, it’s the raw, personal emotions that serve as the emotional foundation for any great story.
However, Paul, the contractor who undertook the renovation of his own home, firmly believes that they must either let go of some resources or risk depleting their remaining savings, a situation that sounds simpler than it actually is.
As a cinephile, I find myself holding a closely guarded secret that could potentially derail a deal and land me in deep trouble – perhaps even behind bars for an extended period.
The idea is quite entertaining, and true to Feldman’s style, numerous unexpected turns crop up rapidly one after another, altering the story’s overall terrain.
The central mystery – what really happened to Paul and Lydia’s son, who died in their home – and how all of the different elements intersect and will ultimately be resolved do enough to keep you locked in.
However, “But No Good Deed” turns out to be quite an aggravating viewing experience as it seems uncertain about its intended identity.
As a movie buff, I must admit that I’ve admired Feldman for her genre-defying approach in her past works. However, this time around, the rapid change in tone feels incredibly unpredictable – to the point where it seems almost bewildering, as if the writing is struggling to find its footing.
In Dead to Me, the blend of humor and emotion, frequently within the same scene, was effective. This style mirrored the complex bond between Jen (Christina Applegate) and Judy (Cardellini).
In “No Good Dead”, I found the heavier topics like depression, strained relationships, and child loss were unfortunately not as impactful as they could have been. The humor, which was usually sharp and biting, didn’t quite hit the mark for me.
The characters can be rather annoying at their worst, though understandably so given their high-pressure lives. For instance, they’re dealing with a hidden pregnancy, a same-sex relationship, and falsely claiming progress on the sequel to a blockbuster novel when no writing has actually begun. If we could empathize more deeply with their struggles, perhaps our reactions might be less negative.
Due to the large group size and brief 30-minute episodes, it’s challenging to delve deeply into any character’s struggles, making them seem more like plot devices serving to complicate things for Paul and Lydia, rather than fully-fleshed individuals with their own distinct lives.
As a movie enthusiast, I must admit that “No Good Deed” doesn’t quite match the brilliance of “Dead to Me”. However, it does pique my curiosity enough to warrant a viewing. If you’re seeking a light, unchallenging film for your holiday entertainment without any flashy, showy ornaments, then “No Good Deed” could be just what you need.
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2024-12-12 11:34