In many ways, "The Good Night" is like the Thurber story "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty". It's also about a dull man who retreats into a fantasy world instead of living out his fantasies for real. But unlike "Mitty", "The Good Night" is incredibly dull and lifeless....and makes for difficult viewing.
Gary (Martin Freeman) is a man whose best years, it seems, are behind him. In his youth, he'd been in a rock band. Now, he's writing music for TV commercials and his marriage is hollow and unfulfilling. So, he begins to retreat into a fantasy world in his dreams where a perfect woman (Penelope Cruz) loves him unconditionally and wants him physically. What's to become of his marriage and what will happen if he actually in real life meets a woman who seems to be the fantasy lady?
It's odd that the film is about a guy who writes music and yet there is so little incidental music in the film. Too often it's quiet and flat...which, I understand , it a metaphor for Gary's inner life. But it makes for tough viewing and the film really could have used an infusion of energy.
By the way, although I am a trained therapist, I've never put a ton of stock in dream interpretation...particularly Freudian dream interpretation. But clearly this film IS incredibly Freudian and Gary tends to use his fantasies as wish fulfillment....and Analytic psychotherapists would no doubt adore the movie since it's based so much on Freudian concepts.
Overall, it's not a bad film but it's also one which COULD have been so much better. A story about mid-life crises and disaffection is potentially very watchable and insightful...but this one just didn't hit that mark. The issues it touches on are great and I liked the ending...but why did the journey there need to be so lifeless?
