Good for Nothing (2011) User Reviews

Almost an Instant Classic

[bob-rutzel-1 · 7/10 · 16 May 2012]

Isabella (Inge Rademeyer) comes from England to the US to stay at her uncle's ranch. She is kidnapped by The Man (Cohen Holloway) who is interested in her for a poke, but his ED prevails and he searches for a cure dragging her along. Because he doesn't know what is happening to him he tells a doctor that his "d**k is broke" and wants help.

I saw the DVD cover and saw The Man who looked a lot like Lee Van Cleef, with those piercing eyes, from the Spaghetti Westerns with Clint Eastwood back in the day, and, I figured I was in for a good time. Well, this is a different kind of western, but I stayed with it. There was almost no dialogue for the longest time. It took me a while to figure out what was going on and when his clumsy attempt at a "poke" didn't happen, it all made sense and he seeks help from a doctor in the next town. Long story short: The Man keeps getting advice that leads him to the Chinese and the Indians who may be able to help. All the while Isabella is tied up and taken along so she cannot get away.

The posse is hot on their trail with instructions to shoot the woman they labeled the "whore" on sight as they believe she helped The Man when he shot the Sheriff and bonuses will be paid.

When the posse catches up with The Man and his "whore" everything changes and there will be surprises for you to ponder. The ending is perfect.

I believe that if this movie had better music more people would know about it and an instant classic would be launched because all is good, the acting, dialogues and the tension that pervades everything. The chemistry between Isabella and The Man is truly something to watch as the relationship evolves. The cinematography is simply outstanding.

Of course, as you go along with this, you will know why the title is what it is, but for you this is good for something, a different kind of western that you will enjoy. (7/10)

Violence: Yes. Sex: No. Attempted rape: Yes. Nudity: No. Slang term for genitals: Yes, only mentioned once in the beginning. Language: No.

Very enjoyable Western

[nowego · 7/10 · 26 May 2012]

Whoever gave this the low ratings to make the overall rating on here such a low rating have done this movie a dis service. This is not a 4.9-5 movie it is IMO at least a 6.

I have long been a big fan of Westerns, with Clint Eastwood and Henry Fonda's movies being up there as the best of them all.

This one is not up to their standard but it does a good job of entertaining.

I hadn't seen or heard of Cohen Holloway or Inge Rademeyer who were the main actors and they did a very good job in their respective roles, hopefully they will get further work, well worth watching out for.

I loved the gunfight in the river, that and the general antics of the posse had me in stitches quite a few times.

The music and cinematography of the film is first rate, up there with the best, I had trouble believing that the movie was shot in New Zealand.

I gave it a 7 out of 10.

Man gets Woman, Man treats woman bad, Woman love man.

[fouu2-668-459294 · 24 April 2013]

Saw this movie and thought it was fantastic. Just not your ordinary western but a realistic look at some of the trappings of living in the "old west". If you are into movies...particularly westerns you will love this movie. The scene with the Indian store keeper shooting arrows at our hero is all too real. The scenery and the locale is part of this wonderful movie. The heroine was low key and for her first movie she did a good job. I had to look up everyone involved with the making of this movies so to see the hands behind a work of art. I highly recommend it. Make sure you see it with some one who enjoys these new realistic look at the west. Not some Hollywood set but out in the open wilderness.

Another long and drawn out disappointing western. Could have been worse, but not much. I say C-

[cosmo_tiger · 4/10 · 25 March 2012]

"This is not the place you read about in books, this is no place for a lady." Isabella Montgomery (Rademeyer) is new to town. Against everyone's wishes she moved and wishes to start her life in the wild western town. While out on her own a cowboy (Holloway) sees her and attempts to have his way with her. Frustrated when he isn't able to, he decides to kidnap her and keep her until he is able to function again. This is another in the long list of unimpressive and drawn out westerns. I'm not sure what happened to this genre but why is it so hard to make a good one anymore? Unlike most of the recent entries this one isn't really cheesy, just seems to have no point. The closest I can come to thinking what the plot is is a cowboy tries to rape a strange woman...then they start to fall in love. Not really sure what else was going on but I was really bored with this one. I am still waiting for a good western to come out. To me "Open Range" was the last good one. Overall, drawn out and boring, much like the last 10 or so westerns that have come out. I give it a C-.

The title says it ALL!!! THIS MOVIE SUCKS!!!

[seahag72 · 2/10 · 25 April 2012]

The plot of this movie is completely ridiculous. The dialog is non-existent and from what little is said, that might be a good thing.

I have not disliked a western this badly since the MUCH over-hyped remake of 3:10 to Yuma.

In case you think I'm a hater, I'll say I love the old Clint Eastwood westerns this movie is being compared to. This is just dumb...the "victim" has several opportunities to escape or even kill her captor and refuses to take action. The only possible explanation I can make up for that is a case of Stockholm syndrome which doesn't really seem to fit the circumstances of this movie in my mind.

I want my $1.20 back from Redbox!!!!!!!!!

A Dry Humorous Western That Is More Italian Than Hollywood

[cne-2 · 8/10 · 17 April 2012]

An ironic look into the emotional confusion of an outlaw who reluctantly develops strong feelings for a woman he has kidnapped, while finding he is unable to "perform" when trying to have his way with her. This results in his seeking help with his problem from a doctor then medicine men, both Chinese and Native American. All the while, the pair are being pursued by a posse out to kill both of them. This deadpan comedy drama has high production values, wonderful photography and a memorable original soundtrack combined with a minimalist script and action that is sometimes over the top to the extent that twice I found myself laughing uncontrollably with this atypical western. This is definitely not a John Wayne film, which is why it has, so far, received low ratings, but give it's subtle humor a chance and you may conclude that it is one of the more memorable of your recent film experiences. Highly Recommended.

If this meant to be funny, the joke is on us...

[mikeolliffe · 2/10 · 24 March 2013]

I am amazed at the preponderance of positive reviews here, with some hinting that if you don't like it, you don't have a sense of humor.

The only 'joke' here is if the writer/director is aware that the U.S., in general, disparages the standard of British dental work. I don't think he is (he has the western outlaw admiring the English woman's teeth!) 'I use a brush,' she tells him.

In most westerns with the mysterious stranger riding into town, we gradually do get to know something about him. All we know about this guy is that he kills people with very little provocation and on one occasion is unable to rape the female lead.

In reply to another reviewer who wondered why the outlaw didn't take the dead pursuers' horses, here are some reasons: he had been shot and was seriously injured; B) the horses were quite a distance away; C) they would have to be fed and watered.

I liked the photography but as there was no point to the movie it was wasted.

The music was the most obtrusive since the bad old Max Steiner days. Music these days is not supposed to instruct us that we're meant to feel sad or excited. Or if it does, it has to be much more subtle than this.

This movie might be good for one thing: show it to someone you're ticked off at.

A good old western with a sense of humour

[mickeychasetan · 8/10 · 3 April 2012]

I just viewed the western "Good for Nothing" & was surprised by how enjoyable the experience was. The main actors were great for the roles, Cohen Holloway & Inge Rademeyer, I had not seen them prior to their Good for Nothing roles, but they are both actors to watch for in upcoming movies. The film is a western with some sexual overtones and some real black comedy throw into the mix. Cohen Holloway plays "the Man" and does it in a type of Clint Eastwood western style. Inge Rademeyer was steamy & funny throughout the movie & looking over her past work, she had mainly been behind the camera & this was her first real acting in film. There was a really good supporting cast by actors I had not seen prior the to movie. All in all give Good for Nothing a chance & it will be worth the 90 minutes.

Sergio Leone meets Tommy Wiseau

[jnfphd · 1/10 · 27 April 2012]

To be a great "bad" film, a movie must somehow keep your eyes glued to the screen will suppressing that nauseous feeling in the pit of your stomach urging you to press the stop button on the remote. In this regard, Good For Nothing is an overwhelming success.

With a story line vaguely reminiscent of Two Mules for Sister Sarah, our protagonist (aka The Man) is an enigmatic drifter who blasts his way through the New Zealand landscape, all the whilst coping with ED, in search of love.

The guns did look vintage, in a cool way, and the gun fights, while surreal by Hollywood standards, flirted with a dark comedic edge that may well have surrounded actual gun fights of the "real" west.

Cinematography had its moments, but the soundtrack was rather disjointed often not coinciding with the action on the screen. A great movie to give as a gag gift for a special relative for the holidays.

Whatever this movie has, it has in spades. As I must reluctantly admit, I watched it to the end and will be looking for the sequel. I'll add it to my personal list of favorite "bad" movies, along with Tommy Wiseau's The Room.

Worth seeing, sometimes funny, not your ordinary Western

[vchimpanzee · 7 September 2015]

Isabella and Miss Parsons (am I remembering that right? There's no name even similar to that in the cast list) are two proper English ladies traveling through the American West on a train with a great-looking and great-sounding steam engine.

When the villain ties Isabella up, he goes into town and what happens next is very funny. And then Isabella gets loose, and with her clothes in tatters, people in town think she is a hooker. She goes to jail and the prisoner in the cell is hilarious. I only wish we had seen more of him.

The villain visits a Chinese mining camp. With hilarious results. Meanwhile, Isabella and the man visit an Indian medicine man--again, with funny results. The posse isn't having much luck because the tracker is incompetent.

The ending is satisfying but quite unexpected. It is, in fact, the very definition of ironic. But there is a complete story.

I wasn't expecting this to be so funny, but the TiVo listings did show it as a comedy first. Actually, this isn't that funny a lot of the time, and it is somewhat violent (though not unusually so for a Western) and unsettling. To enjoy it, you have to be willing to tolerate a sick sense of humor. Also, the sound went out a lot and characters' mouths were covered in many cases when this happened.

Cohen Holloway as the unnamed villain does quite a good job. He isn't merely the monster he appears to be at the start, but someone who has feelings. Just because he shoots everyone in sight doesn't mean he can't be redeemed.

Isabella is quite pretty and, despite her shock at how different the American West is after apparently having a privileged life, she is tough and determined. And even caring, despite how mean her kidnapper has been.

Other good performances come from actors playing Indians and Chinese.

And let's not forget how pretty the American West can be. Even if it's actually New Zealand. And the music is great--Latin guitar, regular guitar (not smooth jazz exactly, but close), and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.

It's an unusual Western to be sure, and worth seeing.

Awful New Zealand Western Homage

[cseon · 1/10 · 6 October 2012]

I selected this film on TV completely blind. I had never heard of it, and was aware of none of the actors. Once the movie started, I was instantly aware that we weren't in the USA any more. The mountains didn't look right, and neither did the train. My first guess was Spain, except that the train wasn't right for that either. I finally gave in and looked up the film and learned that it was made in New Zealand. I realized then that it was made as homage to real Westerns, and the writers didn't have a clue. The film is a Slice Of Life story that attempts to follow the Hitchcock dictum of having the pictures tell the story, but leaves the audience without a clue as to where the storyline is taking them. What is worse is the fact that the writer tried to portray the culture of the 19th Century west as one stereotype after another, the action is never explained at all, and the audience must infer what the writer had in mind when he put pen to paper. If you like treating Slice Of Life movies as Jigsaw Puzzles, this film is for you. If Slice Of Life isn't your bag, don't waste your time.

Word search :Stinkin New Zealand Western movie....this movie is the response

[non_sportcardandy · 1/10 · 15 December 2018]

Forgot the title after viewing it so searched the above words and.....bingo. Really only watched parts because I wouldn't allow it to steal much of my time. The poor persons that watched it all confirmed what I was seeing.....drawn out staring people and scenes that the viewer can't make sense out of. This sort of movie usually only works if the main actors are known to the viewer , appealing to the eye , has interesting characters , etc. It's almost merciless to compare it to the drawn out scenes of OUTW -Bronson,Elam,Cardinale,etc. This good for nothin film would be better off chopped up and made into a short. Warning people not to lose time watching this should be considered a good deed.

Brilliant Western with all the fun of classic Sergio Leone

[Andrew Miller · 10/10 · 26 February 2012]

Good For Nothing stands out as one of the most enjoyable Westerns from the past thirty years. In tone and spirit its close to the classic Sergio Leone-Clint Eastwood Spaghetti westerns. Director/Writer Mike Wallis has done a great job staying true to the genre while delivering an entertaining story full of unique twists to all of the classic scenes. Cohen Holloway plays the classic western anti-hero perfectly, with the added problem of dealing with erectile dysfunction - well his character anyway. Inge Rademeyer breaks the mold of the 'damsel in distress', bringing a complexity and substance with her performance to a role that traditionally has little to offer. Her and the director have built the role into a real-world character. Western fans should definitely seek this one out, its well worth it.

An English woman arriving in the old west is kidnapped by an outlaw cowboy.

[fiddleferme · 8/10 · 23 March 2013]

Really enjoyed this movie. An excellent plot and all performances were top notch as well as the authenticity. It has all the elements of a superb spaghetti western. The character development is richly textured through visual means. Dialogue is short but this only enhances the character development. The music is well suited to the plot - and there is no canned banal use of it. The plot provides a touch of comedy and irony based on the real circumstances of that time era. It is similar to one of the fine westerns Robert Duvall has starred in recently and is quietly gripping from beginning to end..If you are a western buff, you will definitely enjoy this film.

Good fun shoot em up western

[danmarell · 9/10 · 23 April 2012]

Saw this the other night and thought that it was a great adventurous romp that caught my attention throughout. An amazing score and the beauty of the New Zealand landscape help to give it an epic feel. The theme song has been in my head for days.

The man, played by New Zealand Actor Cohen Holloway, gave a great almost silent performance and is also darkly comic. It's pretty much a classic western but it has one major plot point at the heart that questions what it is to be a man, that makes this movie unique.

If you like a good well contained and fun story, then go see this.

That's my 2 cents!

Surprisingly Good

[lesliecorley91 · 10/10 · 15 March 2012]

I've never been big on Western movies but Good for Nothing was surprisingly entertaining. In most Westerns I've seen there are often long drawn out pan out shots of bare land and dull dialogue, however Good for Nothing has witty and sometimes sarcastic dialogue between the characters and a simple plot that juxtaposes the type of lifestyle that was shared during western times. Perhaps the must unique factor that I found out about this movie after I watched it was the fact that its the first Pavlova Western the world has ever seen, meaning it was inspired by spaghetti western movies yet it was filmed in New Zealand. I'm planning on grabbing a copy of it when it comes out in DVD it was that good.

The most realistic film I have seen in a long time.

[casca-rufio · 9/10 · 24 December 2012]

Anyone knowledgeable of what the west was really like, what people living in the west back then were like and in some sense still are like, will appreciate this as a very realistic film. I normally do not like overly realistic films since they just are not very entertaining, average people just are not that interesting, fantasy is much more fun, however this one held my attention. It is hard to believe an obviously lower budget film employed writing, directing and acting of such caliber. All of the reality, but none of the inconsistency of most "reality" type films that end up more like a role playing session in a theater class, with obviously contrived lines, overacting, speech making, and erratic flow. Just enough time was devoted to each scene to present the plot and the characters without over doing anything. At no time is the viewer accosted with an actor's exaggerated attempts to impress the audience with their skills.

The fight scenes were actually very realistic. Very few handguns had any degree of accuracy, and even fewer people were any good at shooting. Real gunfights could result in both parties using all rounds in their guns without seriously injuring either party, unless they were very close. Some of the famous gunfights actually took several shots to finish, not the single fast shot in most of the movies.

Spoiler: I do agree with some of the comments that certain parts did not make a lot of sense.

Not taking the horses and other property of the slain attackers. Not only useful at the time, but also valuable.

I would also question the "posse" not considering the value of returning the girl unmolested to her rich uncle.

Probably the most obvious technical error was the girl riding with bare shoulders without obvious effect. Even one day of riding exposed, with her complexion, would have resulted in extreme sunburn and blistering.

Good For Nothing; More than Good!

[Batmanispierce · 10/10 · 15 March 2012]

Good For Nothing has the potential to become one of the greatest cult westerns of the 21st century! Cohen Holloway comes forward out of the woodwork to bring a stunning performance as the rough outlaw 'The Man.' Cohen leads the movie with his silent, almost grim, posture which is matched only by Clint Eastwood as the Man with No Name. Inge Rademeyer, who plays a proper English woman, creates a character that is wonderfully unique while maintaining her realism. The story line is a wonderful story about 'the Man,' who suffers from erectile dysfunction, and must cross across the American Old West to try to find a cure. The scenery of the movie is fantastic, using the wonderful landscape which is New Zealand. What might be the greatest feature of this movie is the wonderful score, written by John Psathas and performed by the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. With all these factors combine you get a great western movie.

A jewel

[daleg-251-42916 · 8/10 · 22 August 2012]

What a great little movie, though I say "little" only because it's obviously an independent that seems to have missed much attention. I highly recommend it. The story is handled very, very well and the two lead actors bowled me over, especially since one appears to spend more time behind the camera than in front of it. That should really change!

Others have described the plot and the nice use of humor, although it never becomes camp. By the end, I was surprised to be reminded of The Earthling. Earthling has a very different style and topic, but they share the same kind of depth and impact by the end.

Of more recent films, I was also reminded of Meeker's Cutoff. Both were set, more or less, in the old west and provided an authentic feel that just felt right.

Different, unforgettable ending...

[alshwenbear1 · 9/10 · 14 May 2012]

Good for Nothing... I saw the first poster, then the first teaser, and then the trailer, and I waited expecting something like "Silverado" or "Open Range", or maybe a Clintstwoodsque movie. Then I read the reviews, some of them so unfavorable, that when I finally got to the movie I was ready for disappointment… western- hell, no! Would I see this movie again? YES! I have been "training" my daughter into the world of movies worth to watch, she begin her "studies" as a kid with Casablanca, Grease, Silverado, and now I have to introduce her to this one, why? You may ask... to enjoy the performance of this actor called Cohen Holloway, whose character is a dumb-ass-cold blooded-impotent-kidnapper-killer, that seemed to be a born loser. Some did not like this movie, well, so many did not like "Unforgivable", why? Because it did not fall into the "Duke" category, or the Sergio Leone "Spaghetti Western", my point? This is a story that could have been set in the gangster era or in a drug fueled scenery. Regardless of the settings, it's a story written (and directed) in a way of those movies that are just unforgettable, it's that so that when I get older I will keep remembering the ending... I could spoil it for you…, instead, I will just say: do not expect the romance to blossom, be ready for a less fortunate "Rick Blaine" (who walks away unharmed), and certainly not "Ilsa Lund", here the "heroine" is indifferent and detached of compromising even with herself, yes ,you won't get the so clichéd happy ending. After being warned, get ready to get "Shane" in a more Shakespearean way. If you are willing to give a chance to this well-made movie, be aware that this is not your USA, production, Mexican or Italian, heck, not even "The Good the Bad and the Weird" this movie stands on its very own, even the soundtrack is great! As I say sometimes: "if you really understand movies, you have to watch this, so put your expectations outside the door and enjoy".

Classic Kiwi #8 Wire Mentality used in Film Making

[aaron-hermond · 9/10 · 23 November 2012]

The first movie I ever saw that really made an impact was in the St John's hall in Waipukurau in about 1978. We didn't have a movie theatre in town, so on the odd Saturday arvo they would show films in the hall.

Dad took me along one Saturday to see "The Outlaw Josey Wales" and fair to say I have been a died & true Western Fan ever since. In my house, we have Western Sunday's every cold & wet winter afternoon.

This film is different, some people won't enjoy it. Do I enjoy it more because it's made in my country and I know some of the locations? I don't know, but I will say it even made my wife laugh and she hates Westerns! Give it a go, you may be surprised.

Tarantino meets Eastwood

[garyshreffler · 9/10 · 16 July 2016]

If Quentin would stop with all the dialog and let his actors do their jobs, it would be more like this. The visuals remind me of Unforgiven with WAY more humor. The idea of a cowboy worried about his junk not working is gleefully funny. I never knew ANY part of NZ looked like this, looks like parts of Southern AZ by the San Pedro river (you saw it in Tombstone during Wyatt and Josie's ride and the shootout at the creek).

Added this to my western collection. Like to see Inge in more roles but it's tough when, to get in one, you have to be a producer. Well worth 90+ minutes of your time!

I love this western/romance/comedy/drama

[stacy-88176 · 10/10 · 15 October 2018]

If you are a lover of a good story between a man and a woman, this movie is for you. Great character development. Such as in Pride and Prejudice there is a connection between a man and a woman, tension, passion, love, hate, and then an understanding, this movie does an excellent job keeping you watching and wanting more. The cinematography is breathtaking. I did find myself laughing as I agree with one of the critics reviews "early cohen brothers." Spot on. I have watched it over and over.