Good Sam (I) (2019) User Reviews (64)

Some wham and a little bam

[jimmy-53429 · 7/10 · 5 September 2019]

You could be forgiven for thinking there are mainly only 2 camps of reviewers for "Good Sam"..... That is, the haters giving it 1 star, and the others who loved it, giving it 10.

Ok, it was predictable. It wasnt hard to pick who the two main (supposedly mystery) characters were as soon as they appeared.

Yes, the story is typical American style contrivement, but at least it has a positive vibe.

True, the sorts of events depicted here are never likely to transpire in the real world, so im guessing therein lies the main beef of the haters who judge this as "fairy-land" stuff. They have a point.

All those things aside, it was a long film, which at no stage was I tempted to bail out in.

For me, cannot hate on a film that (sort of) promotes human kindness, even if it is wild fiction.

We can live in hope that these Good Sams may exist in some alternate reality.

So yes, you can always find something positive to say about a flick like this.

Being a hater 100% probably shows more what kind of person you really are.

Nothing wrong with a nice story.

[toz451 · 7/10 · 18 May 2020]

Well acted and charming movie without being overly sappy. I enjoyed it.

Enjoyable

[Sergiodave · 6/10 · 24 February 2021]

A cute movie about a reporter trying to find a secret santa type person to the general public. It feels more like a TV movie, but that doesn't detract from the good feeling it gives. An enjoyable easy watch.

Good Acting, Interesting Plot, with Clichéd Moral Platitudes

[yumin_ch · 7/10 · 16 May 2019]

It is the clichéd moral of the story: Be a good person. Paying it forward. Doing good to others and expecting nothing in return. It is the same moral platitudes we've all heard of since we were a little kid. This film delivers exactly just that, the trite moral lessons that exist in every religion.

The actress Tiya Sircar's performance in this film is stunning though. She brought alive the image of a cynical news reporter who does not believe in the good deeds of others. Her role in this film is exceedingly relatable, and makes the story more engaging, and makes the moral lessons seem less trite.

Overall, the acting in this film is good. The plot is interesting enough (though somewhat predictable). The moral lessons are a bit cliché. However, this is overall a good watch. 7 Stars!

Good

[chinniandominic · 6/10 · 16 May 2020]

Many cliches but good story. Acting is good. Is just goes to show everybody leaves a mark on someone's life.

Nice try

[FrenchEddieFelson · 4/10 · 20 May 2019]

A rom com dealing with altruism, benevolence and kindness: that's definitely rare and reinvigorating! But this story is polluted by a careerist who wrongfully credits himself with the paternity of anonymous and generous gifts (well, until then, it's unfortunately a classic) while the probability that the truth will be revealed, sooner or later, one way or another, is close to 100% (there, it's desperately becoming moronic). In my humble opinion, you may consider this movie as a cheap popcorn romantic comedy with a perfectible script and an atmosphere excessively childish.

Its Cute

[emzruss · 6/10 · 17 May 2019]

Your low budget rom com. But you cant turn it off. Really enjoyable.

No Good Sam

[daphnederidder · 3/10 · 18 May 2019]

I like most Netflix originals but this one surprised me with the terrible acting and the boring script. The storyline is quite alright and the message is great but somehow the actors didn't convince me at all.

Feel Good Movie for a Summer Night

[ashtocco · 7/10 · 20 May 2019]

I simply love Dete Meserve's writing so when I heard her novel Good Sam was being turned into a movie for Netflix, I was super excited. This is such a feel good film that shows the goodness of people. The movie and the content are not earth shattering but this movie will definitely make you smile. While not a holiday movie in any way, it reminded me of a lighthearted Netflix Christmas movie like The Princess Switch or Christmas Inheritance. Just one of those movies that makes you feel happy and restore your faith in humanity.

Watch this movie with your enemy to steal 90 minutes of their life.

[spansjoerd · 1/10 · 20 May 2019]

Trailer seemed okay. Movie is horrible. Bad acting. In the first 5 minutes you can guess who the Good Sam is. It does not get better after those first 5 minutes. At one point you get to far into the movie that you don't want to turn it off anymore, as it already cost you to much time. After the movie you will be left with an empty feeling and 90 minutes waste of your life, that you will never get back. Please, don't watch this movie for your own sake. Believe me. I even created an IMDB account to warn you for this waste of time. This movie is like pancreatic cancer. Just as described in the movie, the terminal stadium will come way to soon. And u will be left whilst the decease slowly eats your life away. Thank me later.

A 'feel-good' movie

[athirahahmad-03704 · 10/10 · 16 May 2019]

Such a great movie to put on and watch with your dinner, alone or with company! Really easy to watch and follow along. Loved the chemistry between the lead actors and following her chase the story. Highly recommend!!

Unromantic story

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 14 September 2019]

Good points: The Politician making use of the donations to further his campaign. The story is fairly interesting. You want to see how things turn out.

Bad points: There isn't too much chemistry between the lead actors. Not convincing why he didn't just give the money directly to the people he wanted to. As if they wouldn't accept a gift.

Banal script

[jane_rogers-02213 · 3/10 · 24 May 2019]

My main criticism was the script. The dreadful inevitably of the dialogue and the usual set of cliches which passed as a plot. In a short timescale I realised that I have started to think Netflix was producing quality writing....now I know that can't be taken as a given.

Predictable Feel Good Movie

[Rachael-Harper · 6/10 · 19 May 2019]

When I watched this I was hoping for a light hearted fun romcom, which turned out not to be the case. This movie is a feel good story with a likeable main character but sadly a very predictable plot. Don't get me wrong, it was watchable and a nice easy movie to follow, but I guess I was hoping for a little something more that didn't quite materialise. Watch if you want an easy going Sunday afternoon feel good film, but don't watch if you're hoping for cute romantic moments or deep substance.

Lack of research in depiction of immigrants

[triptiagarwal-67450 · 6/10 · 21 May 2019]

The main character is certainly not a fourth generation Bengali immigrant to NY as suggested. Not sure if such a thing exists. The Hispanic woman in the first episode had a Middle Eastern accent. Please research or immigrant populations.

Don't believe the 10 out of 10's

[dieperdsegat · 4/10 · 17 May 2019]

The ultimate message in this movie is of kindness and humanity. Average plot, average acting. It's nothing you haven't seen before. If you want a temporary uplift then go ahead. The 10 out 10 scores are probably friends and family of the cast and crew.

Surprisingly touching and intense! A must watch film for me! Well done!

[kwenchow · 7/10 · 6 July 2019]

This film start with a female news reporter "Kate" chase to a fire scene to report the event! As turnout, this movie is about finding out who is the Good Sam leaving free money in front of four random people doorsteps! The honcho of the News Channel "David", order Kate to stop reporting accident event and explore something new! One day, Christina found a bag full of money and Kate went to interview her! Kate create the "Good Sam" program after that! At certain point, actually we already know which character is Good Sam! But this movie can keep the audience watching and guessing until the end! Good job! What a noble guy give out free money without expecting anything in return! Eric and Jack, both of them in love with Kate! Eric is a fireman helping people in New York city! Jack is a rich businessman! Eric give away the insurance money of his dead bother to four people that helping his family! Jack just a copycat of Eric good deed to run for congressman! At the end, Kate surely will choose Eric instead of Jack! I really crying when Eric tell his brother story to Kate! Eventually Eric act spreading to other and Kate need to find out another Good Sam at the very end! That's it! A noble film to watch!

Cliche, save your time and just watch the trailer to be inspired

[sajni-17828 · 3/10 · 31 May 2019]

All plot points were very predictable.

Career driven girl meets firefighter in the beginning. Guy saves her life and they exchange banter. Of course he is going to end up being the good sam. But then she meets a politician, and of course he will be the bad guy pretending to be good sam. And although firefighter denied being good sam in the beginning he will later confess and win the career driven girls heart.

Honestly the whole time I watched this movie, I prayed for a noncliche moment to happen. Like yeah why not make the politician a good guy for once and the firefighter the bad one. Or introduce more characters and have some rando surprise us all to be the bad guy.

Yes. The concept of a "good Samaritan" is inspiring but save yourself some time and get inspired by watching the trailer.

ENTERTAINING

[fmwongmd · 6/10 · 18 October 2020]

Well played and well acted story of the good samaritan operating under various guises.

B movie with B story line

[george-spork · 1/10 · 17 May 2019]

Movie is not motivating at all. Too clinic acting and not at one time you will get excited.

BE KIND

[seencrazydaze · 10/10 · 17 May 2019]

Great message with a wonderful lead in Tiya! It proves that kindness matters and it can be the change in the world around you!

A very well done TV movie.

[Boristhemoggy · 6/10 · 26 April 2023]

Good Sam is an extremely appealing, unassuming TV movie which doesn't offer any art, but does bring a simple and happy and enjoyable story.

It's not the best acting in the world but it's certainly good enough. It doesn't try to be anything it isn't: it knows it's place as an early evening, TV movie that's easy to watch but leaves you with a glow. A bit like Emily in Paris but with more depth.

The parts are all played competently and I never felt bored or condescended to. Also, unlike me, I watched it all in one go with a cuppa.

If what you want is an enjoyable easy watch for a simple evening, this is your go to film.

Netflix New TV Movie

[Theis_P · 5/10 · 16 May 2019]

Good Sam is like a lifetime movie whitca love triangle whit a predictable storyline. It's a bread and butter, middle of the road 5 stat movie for me.

Decent, a little lazy - but upbeat

[marykshaw-20799 · 6/10 · 6 June 2019]

Cute movie, predictable but what isn't these days? A little lazy (a hedge fund manager with a small laptop on his bare desk? Yah right. Would have 3-6 screens plus other things in his office...). Not a bad way to spend a few hours and the actors did just fine.

meh

[tinahemera · 3/10 · 3 July 2019]

Nothing I haven't seen before. The acting is really average and not convincing. The message of the movie is nice, but it felt like a waste of my time in the end.