Nice Guy Johnny

NICE GUY JOHNNY is another offbeat, casual story written and directed by the inimitable Edward Burns. It boasts a good story, some very fine actors, and carries a message that we all too often forget. This is that polished little gem of a film that surprises the viewer with its quiet manner and message.

Johnny Rizzo (Matt Bush, a VERY promising your actor) spends his nights as a radio sports talk show host, a career he loves but one that his fiancée Claire (Anna Wood) feels is not a money maker and has made Johnny promise that if by age 25 he does not make at least $50,000. a year, he must go to work in a cardboard factory. That time has come and Johnny reluctantly prepares for his interview for the 'new job'. Johnny is nice, loves, Claire, but is frustrated at the promise he's made. Enter Johnny's philandering Uncle Terry (Ed Burns) who wants Johnny to stay with his dream of being a radio host and in order to try to dissuade the ardently faithful Johnny, Uncle Terry invites him for a weekend at the Hamptons. There Terry, unknown to Johnny, uses the home of one of his married 'regulars' and encourages Johnny to have a last fling before his upcoming marriage and before he goes for an interview for the cardboard job. Johnny is nice and respectful and will not jeopardize his relationship with Claire. But he meets a tennis pro Brooke (Kerry Bishé) and soon finds himself in an innocent but apparently compromising position with Brooke: Brooke respects Johnny's engagement status but finds him different and more real and honest than most men and tries her best to win him over. But Johnny rides the waves of discontent his night away form Claire cause, and at Terry's insistence and Brooke's influence makes a decision that changes his life.

The script is sharp, tightly written, and the acting by everyone in the small cast is first rate. Matt Bush is a very fine new actor who is able to stand his own with the pro Edward Burns very well. By the end of the film nice guy Johnny has completely won our hearts - and makes us wish we had the thoughtful courage of this lad to alter our own lives. Very fine film.

Grady Harp

Johnny (Matt Bush) is a nice guy, or a push-over, depending on how you see it. But he's also a pretty good character. Very handsome, sweet, and well, nice; he's a good romantic comedy hero.

It's basically a twenty-something finds himself romantic comedy. It's nothing you haven't seen before, but it is cute, funny and romantic. Matt Bush and Kerry Bishé have great chemistry and their romance is engaging.

Writer, director Edward Burns has both matured and gotten in touch with his younger self. He's no longer playing the main character in his romantic comedies, and here he has adequately written for a guy in his mid-20s. The plot and dialogue are obvious and predictable, but that's not necessarily a bad thing here. If you're looking for a twenty-something finds himself romantic comedy, then "Nice Guy Johnny" is certainly watchable.

I am a member of the "Team Edward" team (not the one you are thinking). I am referring to those that have always thought that Writer-Director Edward Burns is one of the most talented independent movie filmmakers of our generation. I know that "Team Edward" lacks membership; due to the fact that many critics and filmgoers have not been nice guys and girls to Burns by ridiculing his movies of the last decade. However, I still think Burns is tops when it comes to creating relatable characters going through emotional and romantic turmoil, and using the city of New York as an effective backdrop. Burns' screenplays speak the words of what real people say when they go through trials & tribulations with lovers, family, and friends. In his latest flick "Nice Guy Johnny", Burns still contributes the equivalent witty dialogue of his past independent movies, but the film's premise falls a little short on sheer entertainment value. Matt Bush stars as Johnny, an amateurish sports talk radio host in Oakland who is pressured by his nagging fiancé to go to New York to interview for a cardboard company administrative position against his wishes. Johnny's dream is to excel in the sports radio arts even though his fiancée Claire is not too clairvoyant by not supporting him on his career goals. Johnny does not make the cash flow that Claire is insisting on so therefore she literally ships Johnny to New York to interview for the cardboard position that was hooked up by Claire's domineering father. Johnny, who is originally from New York, gets to visit his parents in the Hamptons in his New York visit; and also meets up with his chauvinistic easy-going Uncle Terry. Terry, played by Burns, is the antithesis of Johnny. He is a womanizing, selfish, and manipulative lothario who has plenty of married female sexual partners who he uses to not only fulfill his sexual craving, but to also borrow their cars & homes at his "free-will". Johnny is initially reluctant to hang with Uncle Terry during his New York stay, but eventually decides to join Terry in a drive to the Hamptons. During their Hamptons stop, Terry introduces Johnny to Brooke; the tennis instructor of one of Terry's married female conquests. Brooke's beauty and bohemian ways attracts Johnny to her, even though he is set on his ways on being faithful to Claire. Will Johnny cheat on Claire? Will Brooke break the faithful tide? Is the cardboard job in the cards for Johnny? Well, you got to spend some time with "Nice Guy Johnny" to find that out. The premise of the movie is not too uncommon in film narratives of the romantic-comedy genre: a controlled dude in a relationship pressured by a self-centered female to bring home the bacon or else she will bail. But the premise is not the nice part of "Nice Guy Johnny"; it is Burns' genuine screenplay that plays a nice part to the story. Even though Burns has played the same scheming character in a few of his past flicks, I still think he was very good in his performance as Uncle Terry. Matt Bush overacted at times with his mediocre starring performance as Johnny, and Kerry Bishe was not OK with her monotone mode in her portrayal of Brooke. It is not one of Burns' best, but "Nice Guy Johnny" is nice enough to check out. **** Good

I found this movie refreshing and hilarious. At first, I was put off by the amount of profanity and sexual innuendo, but all the characters grew on me. I thought it was an excellent script, filled with unexpected moments and unique characters. What's most refreshing is knowing that most of these actors were fairly new to the acting industry. I loved the English care taker. He was funny-looking and a great character to throw into the mix and to reveal a lot of secrets. Matt Bush is charming and Kerry Bishe brings a whole new meaning to natural beauty. Anna Wood is reminiscent of Juliette Lewis in one her less crazy moments, although she has her own outburst.

A very funny, yet solid storyline. Bright and full of laughs, as surely we all identify with that big decision- follow our dreams and our hearts OR do the easiest thing with the greatest promised reward. I laughed until I had tears in my eyes. Yes there is profanity, sexual innuendo and drug/alcohol use. Where isn't there? It was never gratuitous. I was fortunate enough to see this at the Savannah Film Festival and listen as Mr. Burns' spoke about his decision to make this movie, using fresh talent who pegged what I believe his intention when he wrote it. All 20somethings should watch and heed; us 30somethings look back and wish we had.