The Good House ends with Hildy Good accepting her alcoholism and deciding to seek help. This marks a hopeful turn in her journey.
The Good House, a 2021 comedy-drama, stars Sigourney Weaver as Hildy Good, a successful realtor and high-functioning alcoholic. Set in the fictional town of Wendover, the film explores themes of addiction, denial, and redemption. Let’s dive into the film’s ending and its deeper meanings.
Hildy’s Struggles
Hildy Good is a realtor in Wendover, a town she has lived in all her life. She often mentions her descent from a Salem witch with pride and humor. Despite her success, Hildy battles alcoholism, a problem she denies. Her life starts to fall apart as she faces personal and professional challenges. Her strained relationship with her daughters and her feelings for her old flame, Frank Getchell, add to her turmoil.
The film portrays Hildy as a high-functioning alcoholic. She uses alcohol to cope with unresolved trauma and emotional pain. Her denial of her problem affects her relationships and life. The film also touches on generational ignorance about mental health and addiction. Hildy’s generation sees seeking help as a feebleness. This mindset is clear in her interactions with her daughters, whom she keeps at a distance to avoid facing her issues.
The close-knit community of Wendover plays a crucial role in the narrative. The town’s secrets, infidelities, and social dynamics add tension between Hildy’s public persona and private struggles.
The Climactic Incident
The climax involves a local boy going missing. This event forces Hildy to confront her alcoholism. Throughout the film, Hildy experiences blackouts, which she calls “jackpots”. These blackouts cause anxiety for her and the audience, raising the question of whether she could be responsible for the boy’s disappearance (Variety).
The turning point comes when Hildy realizes the extent of her problem. Critics describe the film’s climax as manipulative, but it serves to shake Hildy out of her delusion that she has everything under control. This moment is crucial for her character development. It forces her to acknowledge her addiction and its impact on her life and those around her (The Wrap).
Heading Back to Rehab
In the final scenes, Hildy decides to return to rehab. This decision signifies her acceptance of her alcoholism and her willingness to seek help. The resolution is both hopeful and realistic, acknowledging the ongoing nature of recovery. The film ends on a note of redemption, with Hildy taking the first steps towards rebuilding her life (Fugitives).
Critical Reception
Sigourney Weaver’s performance as Hildy Good has received widespread praise. Critics highlight her ability to bring depth and nuance to the character, making Hildy’s journey compelling and relatable. Kevin Kline’s portrayal of Frank Getchell also received positive reviews, though some critics felt his role was underutilized (ABC News).
Narrative Style
The film’s use of fourth-wall-breaking narration has been a point of contention. Some viewers appreciated the direct engagement with the audience, while others found it derivative of Fleabag. This narrative choice, however, provides insight into Hildy’s internal struggles and her unreliable perspective (High on Films).
Overall Reception
On Rotten Tomatoes, The Good House holds an approval rating of 73% based on 78 reviews, with an average rating of 6.1/10. The critics’ consensus reads: “The Good House creaks in spots, but with Kevin Kline and Sigourney Weaver providing load-bearing performances, it’s far from a fixer-upper” (Rotten Tomatoes). On Metacritic, the film has a score of 62 out of 100 based on 16 reviews, indicating “generally positive reviews” (Wikipedia).
Conclusion
The Good House explores intricate themes of addiction, denial, and redemption through Hildy Good’s journey. While the film has its flaws, particularly in its narrative style and pacing, it is anchored by solid performances from Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline. The ending, where Hildy acknowledges her alcoholism and decides to seek help, provides a satisfying and hopeful resolution. Despite mixed reviews, The Good House offers a poignant look at the challenges of addiction and the importance of facing one’s demons.
