Watch Goodbye Lover

Goodbye Lover is a black comedy film released in 1998, directed by Roland Joffé and Martin Metz. The movie stars Patricia Arquette, Dermot Mulroney, and Mary-Louise Parker in the lead roles. The movie tells the story of a successful advertising executive named Sandra Dunmore (Arquette), who is married to Ben Dunmore (Mulroney). But things take a dramatic turn when Sandra's lover, Jake (Don Johnson), blackmails her into trying to kill Ben. Meanwhile, Ben's sister and co-worker Peggy Blane (Parker) is trying to uncover the scandalous scheme as she has suspicions herself.

As the plot unfolds, the audience follows Sandra as she tries to get rid of Ben, while also trying to balance her affair with Jake. Along the way, several other characters come into play, including the police detective Mike Reilly (Ellen DeGeneres), who is investigating a murder that is connected to Sandra, and a hitman named Rollins (Andre Braugher), who is hired to assist Sandra in her plot.

The tension in the movie builds up as it becomes apparent that nothing is as it seems, and everyone has a motive for their actions. The film takes a twisty and unpredictable turn as each character’s underlying motives are revealed piece by piece, making for a compelling storyline that keeps the audience engaged until the end credits.

The film takes a satirical approach to its depiction of corporate corruption, infidelity, and greed, amplifying each character's immoral actions to create a darkly comedic sense of humor. The themes of sex, power, and manipulation are present throughout the movie, with each character's behavior forming a moral ambiguity that makes it difficult to know who to root for.

The acting performances in Goodbye Lover are strong across the board, with Patricia Arquette delivering a memorable performance as the conflicted adulteress. Her portrayal of Sandra highlights the character's complexity, her ability to alternate between vulnerability and manipulation at will. Dermot Mulroney and Mary-Louise Parker also deliver strong performances, with Parker adding an excellent combination of wit and vulnerability to the role.

The film's humor is derived through the highlighting of situations with subtle irony and understated humor. It also does an excellent job of creating a darkly comedic atmosphere through the use of lighting and camera angles, adding to the movie's overall moody tone.

The film's cinematography is notable for its use of contrasting colors, with bright Miami scenes clashing with the dark, shadowy shots of L.A., creating a sense of the contrasting moral compasses of the characters. Similarly, the film's soundtrack is noteworthy, with a range of upbeat 80s and 90s pop hits that mesh well with the movie's overall tone and pacing.

In conclusion, Goodbye Lover is a black comedy film that delves into the seedy world of corporate greed, infidelity, and power through the eyes of its morally ambiguous characters. The film's strong performances, compelling storyline, and darkly comedic atmosphere combine to create an entertaining, edgy movie that is well worth watching.

Goodbye Lover is a 1999 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.6.