Good Dick (2007)

51% of critics liked it
(41 reviews)
49% of users liked it
(5,231 ratings)

When a lonely young girl named Anna walks into her local independent video store in search of an erotic film, the clerk behind the counter vows to transcend her emotional barriers and win her heart in this quirky relationship comedy written, directed by, and starring Marianna Palka. Though the… More When a lonely young girl named Anna walks into her local independent video store in search of an erotic film, the clerk behind the counter vows to transcend her emotional barriers and win her heart in this quirky relationship comedy written, directed by, and starring Marianna Palka. Though the lovelorn clerk in question (Jason Ritter) is a bit of a creep and perhaps even a potential stalker, the contentious relationship forged between the pair as he repeatedly seeks Anna's affections (and is continually shot down) eventually leads to an unusual, yet wholly unavoidable, confrontation that offers offbeat insight into the state of modern romance. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 27 min.
Directed By: Marianna Palka
Written By: Marianna Palka
Genres: Drama, Art House & International, Comedy

In Theaters: Oct 10, 2008 Wide
On DVD: Sep 1, 2009
Studio: 42 West

Critic Reviews

Ruthe Stein, San Francisco Chronicle
Surely some of the young woman's porn videos would make better viewing.
James Greenberg, Hollywood Reporter
Alternately compelling and dramatically limp, the film scores points for exploring unfamiliar territory but lacks the emotional depth to make some very strange behavior believable.
Lou Lumenick, New York Post
A short and sweet anti-romantic comedy, Good Dick puts together a heav ily depressed young woman with a homeless clerk who rents her porn at a Los Angeles video store.
Joe Neumaier, New York Daily News
As irritatingly monosyllabic as its characters, this indie 'romance' -- the quote marks aren't an accident -- feels over-workshopped and false at almost every point.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Dysfunction beguiles in Good Dick, a perverse romantic comedy whose coarse title belies its tender heart.
Carina Chocano, Los Angeles Times
Good Dick carries its messed-up, highly improbable premise so lightly and gracefully that it ultimately comes off as a sweet, plausible and curiously grounded love story.
Kevin Carr, 7M Pictures
Instead of embodying the fun and spirited fluff that a rom com should be, this film just grinds its teeth through the process.
Don Groves, sbs.com.au
A weird love story between two damaged souls.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
I wonder if it wasn't the movie's title and the movie's talkativeness that put off potential distributors; I hope these things won't put off potential DVD viewers.
John J. Puccio, Movie Metropolis
...a lot more poignant than most of Hollywood's big-budget, star-studded takes on the subject.
Brent Simon, Shared Darkness
A barbed love story wrapped inside a threadbare character drama of swallowed anger and despair, Marianna Palka's film eschews the achingly manufactured quirkiness or shaggy desire to please of so many of its American indie brethren.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
One of the weakest competition entries at Sundance Fest this year, this pseudo romantic-erotic feature promises more than it can deliver, and after a cute beginning falls apart.
Cynthia Fuchs, PopMatters
In another movie, the boy who pursues this girl would be a serial killer.
Ethan Alter, Giant Magazine
All of the most annoying elements of independent cinema are on full display in Good Dick, a painfully awkward attempt at...well, I'm not sure what exactly.
David D'Arcy, Screen International
Marianne Palka's comedy, which she wrote and stars in, lacks the script, acting and the laughs to rise in the marketplace above similar Sundance-style fare, despite the sado-masochistic streak.
Jonathan W. Hickman, Entertainment Insiders
The independently minded have spirits to aflame.
Mark Peikert, New York Press
Good Dick manages to be a squirmily charming romantic movie, chockablock with surprising details.
David Fear, Time Out New York
Ultimately, the body part that gets the most play is the mouth, with the hyphenate and her personal-professional partner Ritter trading the sort of sub-Cassavetes banter that screams self-written acting exercises.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
A distinctly unlikable movie about dislikable people, writer/director/actor Marianna Palka's mumblecore version of dysfunctional romance is the most unromantic picture of the year.

Read all 19 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Daniel J D

This movie trumps Punch-Drunk Love for strangest on-screen couple in a movie I've seen in recent months.
Leigh R

Very odd yet I completely loved it. Indie flick that doesn't seem so indie... Love the storyline, even though it's a bit crude, and am pleased with the results. Jason & Marianna were quite believable in their roles.
♥˩ƳИИ &

I have seen Jason Ritter in a few movies now, one being the education of charlie banks. I thought he was brilliant in it. So I will watch this just to see his performance. Plus it looks like its going to be very different from most films. Plus it looks funny. OK, I watched this… More
I have seen Jason Ritter in a few movies now, one being the education of charlie banks. I thought he was brilliant in it. So I will watch this just to see his performance. Plus it looks like its going to be very different from most films. Plus it looks funny. OK, I watched this movie today. I was really wrong about this being a comedy. It is definitely not a comedy, more of a romantic drama. It was a little confusing at moments trying to understand what exactly was wrong with Marianna's character. But by the end of the movie it all comes together and it's heart breaking. It made me wanna reach through the screen and hug her.. It was just so sad. I never seen that coming and it was just disturbing. Marianna Palka was amazing. This is the first film I have seen her in I believe. She did this part brilliantly. I felt her pain, which I don't think anyone would want to. It's a heart breaking, sad, and great movie. Jason Ritter once again does a great job. People should really see this movie. The title kinda throws it all off, but you will understand after seeing the movie.
Andrew F

<i>Good Dick</i> is a well-written, well-acted unconventional romantic comedy / dramedy. I'm really excited to see what these filmmakers do next.
Chosen 7

Interesting film with weird characters. Good performances by Palka and Ritter.
Sarah P

It was enjoyable at a distance. It's not something I'd watch over and over, but I'm glad I gave it a watch!
Marcus W

She's an emotionally troubled young woman who lives in solitude and likes to watch porn. He's an ex junkie who sleeps in his car and works in a video rental store. Like Secretary it's the perfect love story: two people with lots of depth have to overcome obstacles to be… More
She's an emotionally troubled young woman who lives in solitude and likes to watch porn. He's an ex junkie who sleeps in his car and works in a video rental store. Like Secretary it's the perfect love story: two people with lots of depth have to overcome obstacles to be together.
Nick G

I understand why, but I really couldn't like the female character in this movie. I don't want to ruin anything, but I think even given the context of the film they could have made her more likable somehow. It was over the top. Tom Arnold was a surprise, Eric Edelstein… More
I understand why, but I really couldn't like the female character in this movie. I don't want to ruin anything, but I think even given the context of the film they could have made her more likable somehow. It was over the top. Tom Arnold was a surprise, Eric Edelstein was excellent and should hopefully benefit from a career bump after, and Jason Ritter redeemed himself a bit (for me) with this one..
Andrew P

Regardless of all the negative things I heard about this film I really loved it. The characters are cute together and brilliantly written. Both are fun to watch especially for an hour and 20, it was the perfect little indie film.