The most famous crime movies are known for their thrill, high energy, and excitement. “Good Time” certainly fits that description. Connie Nikas (Robert Pattinson) is a determined bank robber and criminal mastermind who stops at nothing to get what he wants.

“Good Time” takes place in crime-filled Queens and captures the true horror of the criminal underworld filled with drugs, gangs and violence. Nick Nikas (Benny Safdie) is the brother of Connie and his partner in crime. Nick suffers from severe intellectual disabilities so, at the beginning of the movie, a psychologist is assessing Nick’s speech and mental capacity. Connie forcefully removes Nick who is vulnerable from the psychologist’s office in the hopes of having someone assist him with his robberies. Connie tells Nick that the psychologists are not helping him and that he is the only one who cares for him. This plan backfires when Nick is caught by police after helping Connie with a bank robbery and gets sent to prison on Rikers Island.

Throughout the movie, Connie is on a mission to break Nick out of prison while still being a high profile criminal suspect. Connie uses manipulation, violence and robbery, and gets other people in trouble in the hopes of breaking his brother out of prison.

Good Time is not a movie for people who like cheerful and lively movies; it doesn’t sugarcoat anything. It showcases the real, bitter, and ruthless criminal world. While this movie may not be positive, it gives perspective to the person watching in appreciating what they have and getting a better understanding of a completely different way of life. 

A character in this movie who was not used to their full potential is Corey, a love interest of Connie. Connie reaches out to her anticipating that she would be able to supply the money to help him bail his brother out of prison. Connie tells Corey that she will get all of her money back, and she agrees to help him. Ultimately, Corey’s mother, who despises Connie, does not let her go through with this. This is when Connie’s criminal plan to break Nick out of prison arises. For the rest of the movie, Corey’s role seems insignificant, and I feel that she could have contributed much more to the plot.

While the movie is more on the depressing side, the acting is exceptional and it depicts that dark side of the world very well. Robert Pattinson is known by many for his deeply emotional roles including Edward Cullen in the “Twilight Saga” and Cedric Diggory in “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire”, so seeing him execute a role like Connie was neat. 

Please note: this movie is rated mature and for older viewers due to the heavy use of violence. “Good Time” would be most enjoyed by the high school and college-level audience.

Grade: B+