GOOD
The Story:
John Halder (Viggo Mortensen), is a professor of literature. When he's not teaching, most of John's time is dedicated to looking after his neurotic wife, tending to the couple's two young children, and caring for his elderly mother, who suffers from senile dementia. Disheartened by his mother's downward spiral, John authors a novel supporting euthanasia for the terminally ill. Much to John's surprise, the Nazi party singles out his tome as the "way forward," and soon begins to heap flattery on the author in the form of glowing compliments and extravagant gifts.
As a result, John accepts a well-paid research assignment from the Nazis. He explains his rationale for accepting the work to his Jewish psychiatrist friend Maurice (Jason Isaacs) in pragmatic terms. Sometimes, one must collaborate with the enemy in order to survive and have a chance to fight back. Meanwhile, John leaves his wife (Anastasia Hille) for one of his students, a young Aryan woman called Anne (Jodie Whittaker), and begins a new life with her. John becomes more than a collaborator and soon he is unable to think of himself as a good man simply in the employ of bad people.
Unfortunately for Maurice, the situation is quickly worsening for the Jews of Germany as John continues his ascent in the party ranks. While John does everything within his power to save Maurice, the risks involved in truly removing his old friend from harm's way may already be too great for the morally compromised author to consider.
Starring:
Viggo Mortensen, Jason Isaacs, Jodie Whittaker, Mark Strong, Steven Mackintosh, Gemma Jones
Directed By:
Vicente Amorim
Release:
2009
Watch the Trailer:
