Good One Film Review: A Captivating Debut

India Donaldson’s soft and beautiful debut Good One captures the highs and lows of a father daughter relationship during a three night hike in the Catskill Mountains. 

On arrival, the father and son are having an argument the entire street can hear. Matt gets into the car, leaving an unenthusiastic Dylan behind. It’s now just the three of them. Lifelong best friend Matt promoted to the front seat, with outsider Sam, alone, in the back. 

Before the hike can begin, a quick pit stop for dinner and a night’s stay is on the cards. A room with two double beds has been booked, which the men claim before Sam even has time to step foot into the room. Sam makes a bed on the floor, using her rucksack as a pillow, and quickly drifts off before Chris and Matt have finished their endless supply of drinks at the hotel bar downstairs. It’s apparent, here, that they’re more concerned about spending time with each other than having someone else along with them, even if it is one of their children hoping to gain something from the trip.

Sam’s isolation begins at the hotel, as she’s not old enough to drink, but even if she could, would she want to be gossiping with two people she has nothing in common with? Collias delivers one of the most breathtaking performances of the year as Sam. There’s so much talent in every line and every stare she contributes to Good One. Some people are born to be in front of the screen, and Collias is one of them. 

Sam tries to make an effort with her dad and Matt, playing cards with them by the campfire and making some of the best ramen the trio claimed to have ever had. Sam even lets her dad walk on ahead whilst she talks to Matt about their favourite meals, the two getting more and more excited as the made-up menu they plan to eat when they’re home gets increasingly extravagant. Even if she tried every day for the rest of her life, Sam would never be able to get through to her dad. Maybe he listens but he would never be able to digest anything she says, not fully. It’s not until the last day of the hike where he asks her a question, which is the typical “are you excited for college?”. Sam shrugs, answers bluntly, and walks away. 

Director India Donaldson makes her debut with Good One, after releasing three short films (Hannahs, If Found and Medusa) over the past few years. For a first feature, it’s stunning. It showcases an expertise for filmmaking, especially when it comes to teenage girls handling relationships with their family and peers. Good One is like a little sister to Kelly Reichardt’s Old Joy, another fantastic film about the dynamics of two men’s friendship. 

Wildlife fills every scene. Butterflies land on cairns around the trail, slugs make their way across the forest ground leaving slime on every leaf, spiders spin their translucent webs between the trees. If the story itself wasn’t captivating enough, the visuals are a standout on their own. Cinematographer Wilson Cameron, in his fourth collaboration with Donaldson, has captured the true beauty of the outside. It’s not tampered with or constructed in a studio, it’s real life. There’s so much beauty in the little things in life, like just being outside. Sam and her dad have been on many hiking trails before so know how to appreciate the earth for what it is, but even they claim the views of Catskill to be in their top five. 

Good One is a tacitly beautiful film. The background noise of a crackling campfire and birds chirping in the distance is even enough to just close your eyes for a second and take it all in, like you’re outside and not at the cinema watching a film. It’s also filled with very quiet serene moments that allow you to sit back and take in the scenery, and also reflect on your own life. 

Whilst Good One is a coming of age story for Sam as she steps into womanhood for the first time, it’s a reflection of two dads’ pasts and how they’ve not been the kindest to themselves or to others. The climb is sometimes worth it for the view, even if the journey is demanding, both physically and mentally. 

Good One will be screened at the BFI London Film Festival on October 9-14, 2024. Read our list of 30 movies to watch at the 2024 BFI London Film Festival!