First, you can change the style of your
clothes, but not the actuality within. You can want to be popular, but there’s
no rule to attaining it. The people who get swayed in wanting to please others
most often, please none, and end up being alone; the only difference being that
in this case, the character of Tommy Fielding played by Scott Porter is a clear
case of nature versus nurture and who vanquishes is what you will have to
figure when you watch the motion picture.
Second, the laws of attraction follow their
own path. No external prod or pressure could add or diminish it when it sets
its heart on what it wants. This is what Daniel Seaver (Bryan Greenberg), a formal avionics engineer,
the man who is misused for his goodness, and allows people to do so because he
knows who he is and doesn’t really need the approval of others for him to etch
an image of his own self. I adore the method in which he shows us all a way of life by merely being himself. His
character is strong, smart, attractive and infectious. He portrays a perfect
gentleman, difference only that he is not in a suit but in tees and jeans. The
fact also that he is slightly nervous around women is a bonus because any man,
who is genuine, would be. I reckon that many might not identify with him, but
guys like him who are slow and steady, are the guys who finally get to where
they need to get. Unfortunately, the ones who assume themselves to be smart and
gods gift to mankind do not realise that mankind has moved on, and it is
ultimately the man with values and some chivalry who gets the woman who is entitled
to him.
Third, I don’t understand the inimical American
romance with the word ‘fuck’. There are various ways to emphasise on matters of
concern than adding that, ‘Fuck!’ - ‘Fucking!’ preceding every other word in every
sentence. It spoils even the finest work by the indiscretions of wanting to be,
in another American classic word ‘cool’.
Tommy is supposedly made out to be suave,
but remotely. Despite his streaks of genuineness, I thought him predictable and
stupid. When someone thinks they are indispensible then sadly it is just the
beginning of their downfall I suppose.
Beth Vest (Alexis Bledel) is a sweet, Manhattan bred young
woman. Despite her reserved demeanour, she is someone with varied interests.
She loves books and has a fine group of unfeigned and sometimes
over-enthusiastic friends who meet to discuss everything from politics to Lolita.
She loves travelling and treasures the meaningful aspects of life rather than
the flake that Tommy’s world so easily consists of. She’s not a stunner in
terms of oomph but comfortable to watch nonetheless. The honesty she lends to
the character actually adds to the realism merited by the role.
Sex is the best comforter when in emotional
pain, and I was glad Daniel and Beth take their relationship to the next level with
charm and rather organically, while at the same time it is deplorable how Tommy
uses sex as nothing less than an ego boost. If you ask me, I’d rather turn
asexual than bonking women to make a point. It is guys with empty souls who
feed their empty inner selves by trying to be convincing make pure jackasses of themselves.
Cash, the role of the boss played by Andrew
McCarthy is something that I disliked. He is cynical and tactless. His usage of
the word ‘fuck’ is annoying and his jokes flat. He barely even contributed to the movie and I wonder why he was written in the first place.
Loved the subtleties though, like the woman
whom Tommy was two timing with Beth (the one in the red dress), takes off her
heart-shaped necklace to denote that their relationship is over and only if you
are careful enough, you’ll notice it, else it will escape your eyes.
In all, I loved the character of Daniel and Bryan has done a splendid job with it. His
lines are gems to absorb and reflect, and reminds me much of what Albert Camus once
said; that we only know of one duty, and that is to love. That, in a nutshell,
is the essence of The Good Guy.
