by June Kinoshita, FSHD Society
“Nothing about us without us” has been the mantra of disability rights advocates for decades, but when it comes to Hollywood, the number of feature films about disabled characters that were written or acted in by people with disabilities can be counted with the fingers on one hand (or the toes on one Left Foot). So the debut of Good Bad Things is a landmark event, worth celebrating by everyone, disabled or otherwise. And not just because it strikes a blow for inclusion and representation, but because it’s good. Really good.
On the surface, Good Bad Things is an archetypal romantic comedy with a generous dollop of bromance. The lead character Danny (played by the eponymous Danny Kurtzman, who has FSHD in real life) and his best friend Jason (played by Brett Dier from Jane the Virgin) are joined at the hip as roommates and business partners trying to save their endangered company even as they help each other navigate their trauma-strewn love lives. Danny just happens to be disabled.
Danny’s disability is portrayed as just an everyday part of his life. You see Danny’s father carry his son’s slight, twisted form into the shower. Danny manipulates a cup with a straw so he can drink. Jason lifts Danny out of his car and hoists him up a flight of stairs to join a party. He does it so matter-of-factly, and you wish every disabled person had an empathetic, loyal, and reliable bestie like Jason.
Despite his gorgeous home, loyal friends, and cool life, Danny longs for love but finds it hard to trust again after his last girlfriend betrayed him. Jason has his own relationship issues. In the best rom-com tradition, their design studio is a finalist to win a job with a company that makes, of all things, a dating app. I won’t give away the details because you really need to see the movie, except to say that boy meets girl who is a photographer, Danny and Jason are invited to tag along for a weekend fashion shoot in Palm Springs, and there’s a hilarious fungus-fortified pool party scene. Giddy and emboldened by new love, Danny allows the photographer to take pictures of his naked body. Complications ensue.
This would be a moment of supreme vulnerability for anyone, all the more so for a person whose body has been ravaged by muscular dystrophy. Indeed, the making of the film itself is such a gesture. You sense that it took immense courage for Danny Kurtzman to reveal himself at his most vulnerable, baring not just his body but his wounded soul. He had to trust us, the viewers, to see through his disabled body to his full humanity. In this, he has succeeded spectacularly. Unless your heart is made of concrete, you will shed copious tears—the good kind, where you feel grateful to have lived for 90 minutes inside the mind of a remarkable man.
Virtual premiere, September 20-22
Good Bad Things is not in cinemas (yet), but you are invited to attend its virtual premiere. Tickets are available here.
Help spread the word! Twenty-five percent of the ticket price will be donated to the FSHD Society, so urge your social circle to see it. Download the GOOD BAD THINGS Virtual Premiere – Social Toolkit
Here’s what viewers are saying about Good Bad Things
“Danny Kurtzman stands up, opens his heart, calls for change, and gives a wonderful performance as an imperfect man who wants love in his life. As do we all.” – Peter Martin, Dallas Film Now
“Things need to change for things to get better, and that’s so scary. What if this is one of those good bad things?” That’s a tough question to answer, but this movie is one of those good good things.” – Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com
“For a first-time lead, Danny is incredibly captivating in an award-worthy performance that’s bigger than simply the guy you root for in a love story.” – Don Shanahan, Film Obsessive
“…it’s an absolute joy to find a movie that expands the scope of romantic comedies.” – Tina Kakadelis, Beyond the Cinema Dome
“The universality of this well-crafted, well-acted romance, while reflecting the reality of daily life through the lens of disability, makes this a movie that everyone should see. And I do mean everyone.” – Marlene S, Rotten Tomatoes
“The courage on display is inspiring and there’s no shortage of comedic relief.” Nate S, Rotten Tomatoes
“I came away believing “everything is possible” and “people are wonderful.” Yeah, I was Ted Lasso’d all over again.” – Kurt W, Rotten Tomatoes
“…unlike so many stories about people with disabilities, the audience wasn’t left with a lesson about disability, but with a story about what it means to be human.” – Carson T, Rotten Tomatoes
“So raw, heartfelt and unbelievably moving.” – SB, Rotten Tomatoes
“The most beautiful film I’ve seen in my whole life.” – Ryann, Rotten Tomatoes
“What a fabulous movie!! Such an important film for all to see. We laughed. We cried. We loved it.” – Ranie K, Rotten Tomatoes
“Authenticity at its finest! A need-to-hear story told by those actually living it.” – Michael C, Rotten Tomatoes
“Awesome, vulnerable performance by Danny” – Will H, Rotten Tomatoes
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