Summary

Goodrich
features Michael Keaton in a modern fatherhood role.
Keaton & Mila Kunis star in a dramedy touching on father-daughter dynamics.

Goodrich
promises an emotionally nuanced exploration of familial bonds.

When most people think about Michael Keaton’s career, it is likely that two roles spring to mind: his time as the brooding Caped Crusader or his outrageous portrayal of Betelgeuse. The latter is particularly true with the upcoming release of Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which sees him collaborating with Tim Burton once again. However, Keaton has become a beloved actor and persona for his well-rounded repertoire, and his work outside his iconic characterizations has endeared many to the actor the same. From Mr. Mom to Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance), Keaton has impressed in these roles that combine drama and comedy.

This makes the upcoming movie Goodrich such an exciting prospect for fans of the actor and those looking for more seriously themed works in which Keaton has been known to excel. We will tell you what you can expect from the upcoming movie Goodrich and Keaton’s continued excellence as a performer from decades of great dramedies.

Goodrich Stars Two Talented Actors

Andy Goodrich (Michael Keaton) is facing a pivotal point in his life. Personal problems and struggles with his business are causing significant stress. Matters become further complicated when the mother of his nine-year-old twins enters a 90-day rehab program, leaving him to take care of them. Finding modern fatherhood is much more complex than he thought; he reaches out to his daughter from his first marriage, Grace (Mila Kunis), for help caring for the children. However, as Grace steps in to help and sees her father as a caring parent in a way that was based on when she was growing up, the two begin to process their past grievances.

Related How a ‘80s Addiction Drama Helped Michael Keaton Land Batman Michael Keaton’s unlikely casting as Batman forever altered the public’s perception of the caped crusader.

Michael Keaton plays Andy Goodrich, marking his 58th feature film, set for release after the upcoming Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Milia Kunis, best known for her time as Jackie in That ’70s Show and the voice of Meg in Family Guy, plays Andy’s daughter Grace. Though largely considered a comedic actor, Kunis gets the chance to prove her underrated knack for thoughtful dramas once again, as seen in Luckiest Girl Alive and Four Good Days. The rest of the cast includes Andie MacDowell, Carmen Ejogo, Laura Benanti, Kevin Pollak, Michael Urie, Poorna Jagannathan, Nico Hiraga, Vivien Lyra Blair, and Danny Deferrari. Goodrich is written and directed by Hallie Meyers-Shyer, marking her first feature film.

Goodrich Offers a Return to Form Reminiscent of the Best Micheal Keaton Movies

Micheal Keaton has had an interesting career trajectory, starting in the realm of stand-up comedy and working behind the scenes before deciding to fully commit to acting. His break-out film in 1982’s Night Shift, a dark comedy about two men running a brothel out of a morgue, started Keaton on a series of comedic roles. Primarily known as a comedic actor, the comic book fandom had reservations when it was announced that he was cast as Batman in Tim Burton’s film. However, when the movie came out, many found a new appreciation for Keaton’s range and ability, and he remains one of the most beloved actors ever to become the Caped Crusader. He would also work with Burton and use his experience to create Betelgeuse in 1988’s Beetlejuice. While these two roles often pop into the minds of fans when thinking about Keaton, his work in dramedies often goes underappreciated.

In anticipation of Goodrich, one can compare it to one of Keaton’s most beloved comedic works, 1983’s Mr. Mom. While the comedic tone of Goodrich seems more grounded in a sincere exploration of emotions versus the more slightly over-the-top tone of Mr. Mom, both tackle a man dealing with fatherhood thrust on him in a way that challenges the roles’ conceptions. Micheal Keaton was praised for his performance in Mr. Mom, with his over-exaggeration in delivery and mannerisms, offering perfect comedic timing. Again, while Goodrich is more realistic in tone, Keaton has also matured as an actor, and it will be exciting to see him step into a modernized movie exploring themes of fatherhood with a mix of humor and heartfelt drama.

2:59 Related 55 Best Comedy Movies of All Time Humor is a universal remedy for the terminal condition called life, and film may be its greatest medium. These are the greatest comedies ever made.

Outside of Mr. Mom, dramedies are often understated in Keaton’s career. This includes the vastly underrated ’90s satirical comedy The Paper, where he navigates the pressures of playing editor for a tabloid caught up in a real-life crime, to the exploration of addiction with a dark wit in 1988’s Clean and Sober. More recently, one can look to dramedies like The Founder and Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) as showcasing Keaton’s ability to balance serious drama with humor impactfully. Still, Goodrich looks to offer fans of Keaton a chance for him to touch on themes of fatherhood explored in Mr. Mom in a modern and emotionally driven context.

Where to Watch Goodrich

While fans of Keaton and dramedies focused on the importance of familial bonds will have to wait for the release of Goodrich, there is good reason to be excited about the upcoming film. Not only does it see Keaton returning to a role suiting his strengths, balancing comedy with thoughtful, dramatic elements, but Goodrich looks to be a sincere exploration of challenges the modern family faces, focusing mainly on one-daughter/father relationships. The trailer certainly has us excited, and it will be a welcome return to form for the actor after the highly anticipated Beetlejuice Beetlejuice. Goodrich, starring Michael Keaton and Mila Kunis, will be released in theaters on October 18, 2024.