Good Day for It (2011)

Directed by: Nick Stagliano | 90 minutes | thriller, crime | Actors: Robert Patrick, Lance Henriksen, Hal Holbrook, Jared Acosta, Kathy Baker, Chris Barnes, Michael Belveduto, Mika Boorem, Richard Brake, Matt Duffin, Robert Englund, Joe Flanigan, Christian Kane, Jerome Le Page, Samantha Mathis, Skye McCole Bartusiak, Michaela A. Sulka, Christopher Weite

For the story of the Western-like film ‘Good Day for It’ we travel to a typical North American sleeping village. A village in the middle of the wilderness, consisting of little more than a train and gas station, a few houses and a restaurant. It is in this small restaurant where the story of ‘Good Day for It’ takes place for the most part. Here, young Emily secretly meets with her father Luke Cain (Robert Patrick), who used to leave his family behind for unknown reasons, to find out why he actually left his wife and child. When four criminals turn out to be active in the region who also end up in the restaurant, suddenly no one in this quiet place is sure of his life.

The restaurant, run by two nearly elderly people, the endearing Hec (Hal Holbrook) and Rose (Kathy Baker), is clearly the focal point of the story. Because except for a few scenes in the beginning of the film, the entire story actually takes place in and around this place. This is where Emily learns the truth of her father’s past, here the four criminals find out they have a bone to pick with that same Luke Cain, and the restaurant is also where the film’s ‘Reservoir Dog-esque’ denouement takes place. The choice to have the film played almost entirely in one location turns out fine in this case, partly due to the well-hit atmosphere of the, how could it be otherwise, somewhat sleepy restaurant and Hec and Rose also know because of their sincere concern to quickly win the viewer’s sympathy for the various characters.

‘Good Day for It’ will not appeal to a large audience. It is too small-scale production for that. Yet this is a pity. The film will certainly not win any Oscar nominations, but it still has a lot to offer the film lover. So overall the acting is good. Old hand Robert Patrick in particular knows how to convincingly portray the mysterious Luke Cain and the bad guys are also believable. The story is well put together and the way in which all the storylines eventually come together is well thought out. And although not much happens during the film – the story consists largely of the dialogues between Emily and Luke – the atmosphere ensures that you remain captivated until the end.

For some, ‘Good Day for It’ will feel a little too slow, almost sluggish. The fact that everything shows that this is a small-scale production with a small available budget can also put people off. It certainly pays to see through this because although it is not a top film, this fun western thriller is definitely worth watching.