Good on Paper (2021) User Reviews

Weirdly Truthful. Strangely Real.

[fred_hines · 7/10 · 25 June 2021]

I can understand the confusing reviews probably come from a mindset of expectation from the movie, considering Iliza was in it.

Although many including myself may have looked forward to a goofy, lighthearted laugh, I have to say the story had an abstract depth to it from a psychological point of view. In some ways it touched on some serious issues some of us deal with in relationships, not realizing the overtness in agendas of partners in them. In some ways also, the elephant in the room was addressed. Full marks for that.

That said, I'm not sure if the director even realized the power of the script. I felt as a movie, this was all over the place because it touched on so many different societal issues.

Maybe the focus could have been on narcissism and how to deal with the trauma it brings to those who don't realize it. Maybe this could have just been one of Iliza's (love her to bits) stand up episodes, I don't know.

Watch it if you're able to switch your expectations. It's a good one with a very important message. Don't watch it if you're expecting tears from guffaws.

This is a strange one. I liked it though.

May not be the breakthrough film to catapult Shlesinger's career, but not the embarrassing rom-com it could have been

[youngcollind · 7/10 · 15 February 2022]

Expectations can severely alter your perception. Over hyping something can easily put it on a pedestal which will inevitably result in disappointment. But the opposite can be true as well. At first glance, Good on Paper looks like such painful, straight to Netflix rom-com trash that I had been dreading throwing it on. But I'm a fan of Iliza Shlesinger's stand-up work, and was curious to see her film debut. I kept waiting all movie for it to take a sharp turn towards shmaltzy sentimentality, but as it became clear that it wasn't going down that road, it had me rooting in it's corner! By the same token, if I was expecting knee slapping hilarity, it may have been a bit of a let down, as it doesn't really succeed at bringing the frantic energy of Iliza's live shows to the big screen. What you get is a rather amusing story which basically did happen to the comedian in real life, and a light easy watch that doesn't get bogged down by tired genre clichés.

Off-Beat Low Budget Comedy That Somehow Works with Schlesinger at Helm

[Instant_Palmer · 7/10 · 28 June 2021]

Iliza Schlesinger taking the Larry David approach to placing herself inside the fictional character, and it works. Like one of her stand-up routines massaged into a full story, Iliza pulls it off without seeming to break a sweat.

I'd like to see her stretch herself in future projects, but this one worked for me as a nice surprise by one of the hottest comics, fully capable of making the jump to acting. Looking forward to more!

Not what I expected, but pretty good.

[AristarchosTheArchivist · 7/10 · 24 June 2021]

So this was advertised as a romantic comedy, but it's not really that.

It's about fake personality, something that's a real pain in the ass nowadays, where almost everyone is damaged and has low self-esteem because psychopaths and cunning narcissists get it all, and rub it in.

It starts off quite romantically, and gradually the doubts kick in

• is this guy really what he pretends to be?

Then the movie takes a darker turn, and it doesn't recover.

You get the bitter truth.

The dialogues are quick-witted, acting is good enough to carry the story, there are a lot of small jokes and funny moment that are worthwhile.

Don't expect a "happy" ending.

This is basically a movie version of "Dirty John" as a comedy.

If you like Iliza Shlesinger (I do), go watch it, it's certainly not bad.

Better than They Said

[arfdawg-1 · 7/10 · 29 August 2021]

I have no idea who Iliza is so I came to this movie with no pre-conceived notions.

It actually deserves more than the 5.6 it's currently getting.

Well written and acted and directed on a shoestring budget.

Moves along quickly and is never boring. Some goot haha's thru out.

Doent have the typical car chase dumb Hollywood ending and that's a good thing.

Good on Paper

[JoBloTheMovieCritic · 5/10 · 28 December 2021]

5/10 - definitely not the rom-com I was expecting when I hit play on Netflix, but despite everyone involved's best efforts, this one just does not stand out as anything remarkable and most of the jokes seemed to fall flat (at least for me)

"Rock Beats Paper"

[Kamurai25 · 6/10 · 11 July 2021]

Good watch, could watch again, and can recommend.

This is one was a little spoiled for me as I heard a podcast discussion on the real story, and then the slightly refined comedy routine on it.

Seeing those things come to life as a movie, I kind of knew the whole plot, which is just how it is with real life stories.

While I'm super happy Iliza got to have her story told, there was an opportunity to turn this into something spectacularly absurd.

("Tusk" was also based off a real story, from a discussion on a podcast but I'm still waiting on "Moose Jaws" (It's "Jaws", but with a moose.), so who knows.)

I think this is a great "chick flick", a great "woman empowerment" movie, and good venture into....not sure what to call it, an "anti-romantic comedy"?

I'm honestly hoping we get more movies with this sort of structure.

Not a strong enough plot, and not funny to make up for that

[jtindahouse · 5/10 · 8 July 2021]

I heard Iliza Shlesinger on The Joe Rogan Experience recently promoting this movie. She talked about the real-life events that led to the movie being written. I remember after she told the story thinking, that's an interesting story but how is it enough to justify making a movie out of? It sounds like the plot of the very laziest Lifetime movie. Sure enough that's pretty much how the film comes across.

I may be mistaken but I don't remember seeing a movie inter-spliced with stand-up comedy before. I've certainly seen it in sit-coms like 'Seinfeld' and 'Louie', and it works reasonably well there, but to do it in a movie seems strange. Particularly considering none of the stand-up is in any way funny. Surely if you're going to do that you want to be putting your best stuff out there, right? And I think that's the biggest crime this movie commits - it's written by a comedian, and is still never once funny.

It's not all terrible though. I found Shlesinger and Ryan Hansen watchable enough in the leads, and some of the side characters have the odd moment of interest. There's the odd intriguing scene too, like the one set on a golf course (although that could just be down to me liking golf). 'Good on Paper' was a film that I should've hated immensely, but instead sat there only mildly bored for 90 minutes. I can't put my finger on what that was down to exactly. This isn't one I'd recommend all the same. 5/10.

Where is the humor?

[drjgardner · 4/10 · 7 July 2021]

You'd think this would have some funny stand-up routines but they are not funny. Maybe mildly amusing but certainly not funny.

Way Better Than Current Ratings

[ruadhcaileag · 8/10 · 27 June 2021]

I'm certainty glad I didn't check ratings here before watching this movie... because at the current 5.6 rating, we wouldn't have watch it.

This movie is entertaining! Comedy and some drama mixed in, with a dose of strong women, and an engaging storyline. Really enjoyed it and would watch again. A great Saturday night movie...for after the kids go to bed.

So much fun!

[kirupakaranh · 7/10 · 23 June 2021]

Movie is so much fun! It's not really a rom/com and don't compare with seinfeld. I felt like the ending was unnecessary though.

This movie is simply trying too hard

[timmym-25149 · 5/10 · 23 June 2021]

I wanted to like this movie but it was a rough watch. The jokes felt a bit lazy, the scenes too exaggerated, and the ending felt unrealistic and as though it was simply trying too hard.

Some funny moments

[Calicodreamin · 6/10 · 25 June 2021]

Decent comedy, I laughed out loud on more than one occasion and that's what I'm here for. The storyline was authentic up until the court room thing, which was out of place and nonsensical. Acting was decent, though some scenes the dialogue felt forced. Keep expectations low and enjoy.

Very average

[johnmaloney1 · 6/10 · 26 September 2021]

Easy watch. Only 90 mins and you play on your phone and not pay too much attention. If that's what you're looking for then this ticks the box. Anymore and you'll be disappointed.

Weird

[lalufrias · 4/10 · 24 June 2021]

I love Iliza but this was weird and hard to watch.

I don't understand what they wanted to do... the storyline had potential but they didn't manage well.

Better than the 5,6

[jadulotta · 7/10 · 15 September 2022]

I'm writing this soley because I think the grade is too low. I usually don't watch films with such a low grading, but didn't check until I was already watching it.

It's a good film for just wasting some time on a Thursday night. It's good acting, some funny points and just relaxed. A small twist at the end. A feel-good end. Just satisfying.

The lead is believable, the male lead too.

The stand-up fits with the story all though not funny as stand-ups should be.

The time skip is unclear but I don't care, I just need to write some more. What can I say?

The only thing missing is a cat, I love quirky cats in films.

7/10

[v_singhavi · 7/10 · 25 June 2021]

Ok...so 30 min in watching the movie ..red flag after red flag so I stopped watching but I thought let see for 45 min and let see and eventually I finished the movie ..movie comedic timing is good cause of the iliza and the ability..plot isn't something to fish on cause very easy to identify and I'm glad I watch it ..had a good laugh and yes don't take this a movie seriously cause when your looking to watch something good ..just when you chill mood watch it you won't judge much and laugh of you get iliza.

Not a comedy

[kellylangille-44180 · 3/10 · 26 June 2021]

The movie is a lot of things but funny isn't one of them.

Original

[nikkiromito · 9/10 · 23 June 2021]

Just finished this movie and I actually really enjoyed it. It wasn't your typical movie, had a fresh look on the reality of dating. Some say it's trying to be Seinfeld but I don't think that's true at all. She's a real life comedian and this actually happened in her life. I Found it funny, honest and well written. I would recommend to watch this movie!

IIiza Shlesinger delivers but the film is decent with its jokes and humor.

[cruise01 · 6/10 · 2 August 2021]

3 out of 5 stars.

Good on Paper is a fair romantic comedy film which many can relate when dating. And they come across when the other person lies about themselves to make them seem more presentable. It is what happens when a stand up comedian and a struggling actress Andrea (IIiza Schlesinger) comes across when she meets Dennis (Ryan Hansen). Which they become friends and evantually fall for each other. Until she notices he is avoiding a lot about his personal life. And comes up with excuses about himself.

Relatable plot and definitely not a typical romantic comedy film. With Andrea trying to figure out who Dennis is and what is real.

IIiza Schlesinger is a lovable actress and can be funny. The script she wrote does seem a little dry and running on fumes with the humor. It has some laughs it fails to carry the rest of the film. Margot (Margaret Cho) plays her friend. Her character was more annoying than ever. Ryan Hansen did a decent job playing a shady character that seems fake and hiding who he really is.

It is an entertaining romantic comedy film with a decent plot and lead actress. The humor and script seems a bit lacking.

Good, different

[J_Andrew_Evans · 7/10 · 25 June 2021]

This is actually a good film and it is NOT trying to be Seinfeld. That is a really superficial analysis of the film. Yes, about the reality of dating. Yes, about the difficulties of relationships. Yes, not a Romcom but definitely worth your time. Enjoy.

Funny and Worth a watch

[Blumanowar · 6/10 · 28 June 2021]

What made it so funny and jaw dropping is that it was true. If it hadn't been I wouldn't have watched it. Good cast, cute, funny good way to spend 90 mins. If it's the only movie you'll watch this month, there are better out there (finally), but for light comedy and free entertainment, it's worth a watch.

The title sums it up.

[cynns · 3/10 · 29 June 2021]

What seemed good on paper to someone did not translate in its execution. The movie simply tried too hard to be funny and could not live up to the trailer which did an excellent job at giving you hope for something much better.

Works as a thriller about dating gone wrong, not funny enough but still enjoyable for a one-time watch

[ObsessiveCinemaDisorder · 6/10 · 28 June 2021]

Based on a real-life experience from comedian Iliza Shlesinger, Good On Paper is an anti-romantic comedy and dating cautionary tale that attempts to explore an uncomfortable subject humorously. It achieves the former with its insights but falls short on delivering enough laughs.

Andrea Singer, a stand-up comedian and actress working in LA, meets Dennis Kelly, a Yale graduate working in hedge funds, in an airport. They become friends and soon a couple. Too many broken promises and inconsistent excuses lead Andrea to suspect that Dennis is not who he claims to be.

Although advertised as a romantic comedy, Good On Paper functions much more as a thriller, perhaps unintentionally so. The prospect of a boyfriend who is chronically lying to keep you in their life is horrifying and this film explores that realistically and presents the uncomfortable tension of being trapped in a sketchy relationship.

The comedy works fine at the beginning but after it is evident that there is something ominous and sketchy going on with the Dennis Kelly character, first-time director Kimmy Gatewood struggles to keep a comedic mood in the air.

The verbal banter between Shlesinger and Margaret Cho falls short of making light of the creepy tension around them. The quips and gags fly over the audience's heads. Other times they fall flat and register more like dialogue. Even the interspersed cutaways of Iliza Shelinger's character performing standup commenting on what just happened function more as a dramatic monologue than a comedic bit.

So was Good On Paper marketed wrong or did the comedy need to hit harder? I'd say probably both. With revisions and better jokes, perhaps the comedy could have worked better if it was refashioned as a dark comedy that directly addressed the uncomfortableness. I don't know.

Iliza Shlesinger makes a solid comedic lead. I always enjoy seeing standup comedians writing and starring in their own vehicles and I hope she continues doing it and gets better. I want to see her standup specials after this film.

Margaret Cho is unfortunately miscast as Andrea's best friend Margot. Margaret Cho's strengths are being crass and obscene but not playing neurotic.

Ryan Hansen is the film's MVP as Dennis, who convincingly conveys that cheesy sketchy blandness. His behavior reminded me of real narcissists and pathological liars that I have met; Dennis's empty smile and the way his eyes dart away for a second to strategize a lie or an excuse were spot-on.

In terms of films that are written and starring a comedian, like Ali Wong's Always Be My Maybe or Kumail Nanjiani's The Big Sick, Good On Paper is a lesser entry but it is still worth a one-time watch as a cautionary tale reteaching the old lesson that you can never be too careful about who you meet.

Entertaining and fun movie

[thompsonmegan20 · 8/10 · 24 June 2021]

Now let's be honest none of us paid extra to watch this movie on Netflix. For the medium that it appears on this is a really fun movie, Iliza and Margaret have really good chemistry together and you believe that they could be friends. The story isn't terribly complicated, but it is a different way of telling a familiar story. I found the jokes to be funny and I liked how the stand up was worked into the movie. Is this movie going to go up for an Oscar...no, but it is definitely entertaining and worth a watch.