Nice Guy Johnny (2010)

52% of users liked it
(388 ratings)

A man determined to right suddenly isn't sure what the right thing should be in this independent comedy-drama. One of the few things Johnny Rizzo (Matt Bush) loves as much as his job as a host on a sports-talk radio station is his longtime fiancée Claire (Anna Wood), who is gently but firmly… More A man determined to right suddenly isn't sure what the right thing should be in this independent comedy-drama. One of the few things Johnny Rizzo (Matt Bush) loves as much as his job as a host on a sports-talk radio station is his longtime fiancée Claire (Anna Wood), who is gently but firmly persuading him to find a more responsible career. Johnny's show is currently airing at 2 a.m. and doesn't pay very well, and as much as he enjoys it, he decides to make good on a promise he made to Claire that if he wasn't making at least $50,000 a year by the time he turned 25, he'd take a job with her wealthy father's box making company. As Johnny heads to the Hamptons to meet with Claire's dad, he ends up staying with his Uncle Terry (Edward Burns), a chronic womanizer determined to show Johnny a good time whether he likes it or not. Loyal Johnny isn't interested in any of the gals Terry throws his way, but when he meets Brooke (Kerry Bishe), a beautiful woman who is giving tennis lessons to Terry's (married) girlfriend, for the first time in years he finds himself infatuated with someone else. Johnny is thrown for a loop when Brooke tells him the last thing he should do is give up his job for Claire. Written and directed by Edward Burns (who cast himself as Uncle Terry), Nice Guy Johnny received its world premiere at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 29 min.
Directed By: Edward Burns
Genres: Comedy, Romance

On DVD: Oct 26, 2010
Studio: Film Buff

Critic Reviews

Mike McGranaghan, Aisle Seat
Slightly predictable, but also warm and entertaining.
David Nusair, Reel Film Reviews
An above average romantic comedy...

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Featured Audience Ratings

♥˩ƳИИ &

Cast: Max Baker, Kerry Bishé, Edward Burns, Matt Bush, Brian Delate, Marsha Dietlein, Harper Dill, Michele Harris, Jay Patterson, Callie Thorne, Anna Wood Director: Edward Burns Summary: Although he loves his job as sports radio talk show host, Johnny (Matt Bush) promises to… More
Cast: Max Baker, Kerry Bishé, Edward Burns, Matt Bush, Brian Delate, Marsha Dietlein, Harper Dill, Michele Harris, Jay Patterson, Callie Thorne, Anna Wood Director: Edward Burns Summary: Although he loves his job as sports radio talk show host, Johnny (Matt Bush) promises to take a dull but high-paying position to satisfy his fiancée (Anna Wood). But when he falls for a free-spirited beauty (Kerry Bishé) in the Hamptons, Johnny starts to reconsider everything. Written, directed and co-starring Edward Burns, this romantic comedy explores the difficulty in choosing between one's duty and one's dreams. My Thoughts: "It's a slow burn semi romantic film. My problem with the film is that the acting just wasn't believable. The story wasn't convincing. I am sure there are people out there who have been in Johnny's position with a choice of starting a life he's a hundred percent not wanting at the moment and the choice to follow his dreams. But the film was overly done to the point of it being obvious. Plus by the time he sets out to the Hampton's with his Uncle Terry, you pretty much will figure out how the film will end. No surprises in this romance flick just like so many others like it."
Cynthia S

I love Ed Burns, and I love what he can do for a movie...his touch is really something special. Everyone has that person in their life that teaches them to be true to themselves, and this movie covers that subject well. A very touching, romantic film. I enjoyed it.
Jeff T

Sweet, unimposing little film from Edward Burns. You know, Edward Burns? THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN? That spiky little made-it-for-$25,000-on-credit-cards film that jump-started the independent film era in the 90's? Now he's shooting direct-release movies on digital for his… More
Sweet, unimposing little film from Edward Burns. You know, Edward Burns? THE BROTHERS MCMULLEN? That spiky little made-it-for-$25,000-on-credit-cards film that jump-started the independent film era in the 90's? Now he's shooting direct-release movies on digital for his love of the format, not for big studio bucks, and though the results don't break any sound barriers, it's nice to have him back. NICE GUY JOHNNY is about a nice guy named... well, you guessed it. 25 and about to be married, he goes to visit his ne'er-do-well uncle who tries to get him to consider some other alternatives before settling down in a dull job with the girl he's been with for years. Can you guess what happens? You might be able to. But Matt Bush as Johnny is so fresh and appealing, and the whole film is so engaging, that it's unoriginality is almost what makes it original. Direct, straightforward and unblinkingly sweet, this is a nice little watched-it-right-on-my-couch night at home.
Christopher H

Without the right cast, mostly the director Ed Burns, this film would have fallen flat, being pretty predictable from start to finish, but with Matt Bush taking one of his first leading roles, the film actually pulls through. It is hard to follow the logic of the film, as both female… More
Without the right cast, mostly the director Ed Burns, this film would have fallen flat, being pretty predictable from start to finish, but with Matt Bush taking one of his first leading roles, the film actually pulls through. It is hard to follow the logic of the film, as both female leads are very unlikeable, even though you are meant to side with the free-spirited, out-going girl, she still comes off bitchy. By the end, you are just happy that Johnny finally makes a decision.