The Good Times Are Killing Me (2009 TV Movie) User Reviews

Something good out of Canada?

[randy_kay · 6/10 · 23 September 2012]

I'm always bashing Canadian films because frankly they usually stink. You don't have to be a genius to make a good movie but you do have to have brains and good taste and Canada just usually never seems to get it right, especially 99% of the Vancouver garbage. With that said, this was one of the best Canadian (and British) films I have ever seen. The acting was really excellent all around, great British actors in the AA meetings, no cheesy Canadian CBC-type bad lighting and/or bad film quality and the story was quite good but there was one major flaw in my opinion which the writers/producers might want to think about next time.

This whole thing about Kelly Rowan being SO drunk that she thinks she slept with the lawyer who she's up against when in fact she slept with a totally different guy? (You don't know this until near the end), that's just not believable in my eyes. I drink a hell of a lot and I have NEVER been so bombed that I could have been that delusional. This was a pretty good film but that is one HUGE Achilles heel IMO. Had you been able to do a better work around, I would have given it more stars but that was really lame.

Also, from a post-production point of view, that 'fading to white' video effect you used when Kelly Rowan was trying to remember what actually happened? That was very cheesy. It just didn't match the Caliber of the rest of the film. It looked like some post-production house just slapped it on in the final edit without consulting anyone. Bad move.

Aside from that, I thought it was very good. Again, excellent acting from everyone involved. I hope to see Canada involved in more movies of this quality and who knows -- maybe the people who make these movies might actually read these reviews and take the comments seriously.

a train wreck

[sheewolf · 1/10 · 13 September 2009]

Over the years, I think I may have posted here at IMDb maybe 3-4 times max. But after suffering through this gawd awful TV movie, I felt it was my DUTY to get on over here and see if anyone else had seen this, and if so, to read what they'd written. But it seems I'm gonna be the first commenter here, and unfortunately, I can't find anything good to write about this movie.

From the very get go, we were given no reason to care about or invest in the main character -- or care about the characters' story for that matter. The pacing was off throughout and was made worse by the editing choices -- and the music score.

This was a horribly written script; a disjointed story that meandered all over the place. How did this script get approved and the movie greenlit??!

Very very smart

[heidi44 · 9/10 · 16 September 2009]

I love Kelly, always have, always will. I nearly fell off the couch when it all came together and I was made to understand the real truth. Man, oh man do I get this! Anyone with a drunk in the family will get this. Is the writer a man or woman? Because if it is a man - thank-you. If it was a woman- go sister! I wish more TV movies would treat their audiences with the same degree of intelligence instead of talking down to them, I like that it made you work and gave you a lot to think about after. I would give it a ten except the music seemed like it belonged in a different film. I really loved all the characters in the rehab though- they were so funny.

Loved it......... so worth watching and good actors too, love kelly rowan

[Beckham-632-403914 · 10/10 · 15 January 2010]

i thought this movie was awesome..... it makes you think and is confusing at times but it's really well done and completely believable. its not like all the pointless movies they make now a days and its not full of rubbish. it's one of those movies that jump back and forth between past and present so you really have to watch it to know what's going on,. it's about a lawyer with a drinking problem who gets sent to rehab under false pretenses, although ends up staying cuz she realizes she has a problem. i think the whole set up of the movie is good and the actors do a great job...... esp. kelly rowan (the main character) :) go see it for yourself!!!!

cool thriller!

[johnlecuyerfilms · 10/10 · 1 February 2010]

I think this was a terrific film. For a TV Movie its gone further than most! Its got a great cast The story unfolds brilliantly with great writing It is a unique plot it has a tightly told story the cast overwhelm and perform beautifully we need more films like this if we could get them financed. For a TV Film it does justice to subject matter I think this was a terrific film. For a TV Movie its gone further than most! Its got a great cast. It was also a great example of co-productions between Canada and Britain (England) I would love to see more projects get green lit like this but these days TV Networks aren't financing TV Movies MOWs like they used to one can only hope

Great take on denial!

[boxcardelta · 8/10 · 20 September 2009]

I stumbled on this film by accident and I'm glad I did. Reminded me of Michael Clayton, in that I knew something bad was going on and wasn't quite sure what it was although I thought it had a great and satisfying revelation at the end. I think this was the first time I have seen a film that deals with denial rather than just the booze and addiction. Thought the cast were great and very believable, especially Kelly Rowan who actually managed to make us feel sorry for a potentially unsympathetic cut-throat lawyer! Surprised this was a CTV show, felt more like a US cable type thing. Might not be to everyone's taste because you really had to concentrate to work it all out and there were no guns or explosions in it!

Excellent Performances!!

[newacct1035691 · 9/10 · 12 May 2010]

I saw THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME when I was visiting family in Canada. This was an incredibly complex, character-driven piece. I thought the acting was excellent. Kelly Rowan is a talented actress. Canadian broadcaster CTV was smart to make a movie with her. I loved her work in THE O.C., but her performance in THE GOOD TIMES ARE KILLING ME is even more layered and rich.

I thought this was a welcome departure from the typical TV movies I stumble across on many American broadcasters. And Rupert Graves who many will remember from A ROOM WITH A VIEW also gives a spirited and emotional performance. I can't tell you what happens because that would ruin it for you. But let's just say that if you stick with it, you will be rewarded. The story unravels in a completely unique and unpredictable way. Well done!

An Effective Addressing of Social Ills

[don-sands-777 · 10/10 · 15 September 2009]

The heroine, a lawyer, has worked on a sensitive political case involving corruption in high places. But, she finds herself institutionalized against her will. She blames the power of those corrupt politicians. She considers herself wrongfully "imprisoned". As time progresses, she gets closer to the truth about the case and herself. Some of the people in the institution become her friends. They help her.

It takes a certain amount of patience to let the subtle plot unfold. The movie looks at life carefully admitting only what she believes to be the truth. As she discovers more, the movie pulls together nicely.

This is a story of courage and learning to know oneself. A fascinating expose of life.