Within the first two minutes of “Everything’s Going to Be Great,” I found myself laughing aloud, quickly charmed by the immediate honesty and awareness that a theater kid of any age exemplifies.
The movie’s opening credits utilize a classic Hollywood movie poster font, lending it a nostalgic, comedic feel. In the first scene, we see father Buddy and son Les, played by Bryan Cranston and Benjamin Evan Ainsworth, respectively, in the principal’s office. The revealing conversation between parent and principal peels back the curtain on the many purposes and practices of the performing arts. Cheeky jokes are peppered with notable quotes; “theater teaches empathy,” the father proclaims in defense of whatever his son did.
“Everything’s Going to Be Great” is about the traditional, nuclear American family; despite their differences, together, they navigate many moves in pursuit of their own betterment and sense of belonging. Director Jon S. Baird (“Tetris”) and writer Steven Rogers (“P.S. I Love You”) come together to craft a witty and sharp script and present mostly well-rounded characters, enhanced by timely delivery. What really stands out in their script is the devotion to one’s craft and calling, and seeing how certain artistic inclinations, in some ways, feel as if they are genetically passed down. The dwelling in delusion is reframed as manifesting your reality, dreaming of something so strongly that it becomes real.
With the emphasis on stage plays and theatrical productions, I found myself drawn to the copiously colorful wallpaper designs that decorated every room of every home the characters moved to. The array of cardigans and robes is also a subtle yet sly detail in the dramatization of how theater folk tend to dress.
There is a recurring joke between the brothers and parents: “When the money comes in…” followed by their lofty wishes. Random moments of emotional depth and reflection readily revert to a lighter tone, highlighting a keen understanding of comedic relief as a means to navigate or negate grief.
“Everything’s Going to Be Great” thrives on its complex interpersonal relationships, thoughtfully exploring the dynamics between parents, between parents and children, and between children. The connections change suddenly when Les catches his mother (Allison Janney) having an affair; the events following lead to an entire tonal shift in the characters’ lives, individually and collectively. The difference in parenting style between the parents highlights a home-life experience that is not often reflected on film. Despite the love mothers and fathers may have for one another, opposition in their approach to caring for children is frequently the root of disagreements. “I am an American, and I love money!” the mom rebuttals when the father finds himself yet again justifying their humanistic, theatrical lifestyle.
The stereotypical dynamic of an artsy sibling being in the shadow of the athletic older brother is flipped on its head. Les’ brother, Derrick, is quite forgettable, to the point where he even admits his mediocrity and likelihood to achieve little in life. Although the performance from Jack Champion is well-executed, his character’s development gets stuck in the background and serves as a building block for everyone else’s progression and blossoming.
While the film’s storyline is charming, it falters slightly in its grounding of the plot. This is possibly due to the constant on-the-move nature of the core characters. Bouncing from Ohio to New Jersey, dreaming of Milwaukee and landing in Kansas, then back to New Jersey, this transient nature unfolds over a year, yet feels much longer. During their journey to live with Uncle Walter (Chris Cooper) in Kansas, Les regrettably acknowledges that it is a state “famous for Twister and being white.” The oft-overlooked Midwestern state ultimately provides necessary clarity, serving as an incubator for each character to blossom into their next phase of life.
The 95-minute runtime also aids the dramedy’s success: Short, silly, and sweet, the perfect recipe for audience satisfaction. The film’s resolution comes to a rather abrupt end, as we witness Les still inserting himself into scenes, catalyzing his career. This courage and well-placed initiative leaves you inspired to be the driving force of achieving your dreams.
