The Good Girl is a 2002 American comedy-drama film directed by Miguel Arteta and written by Mike White.
The story follows Justine Last (Jennifer Aniston), a 30-year-old woman living in a small Texas town who works at a discount store called Retail Rodeo. Her life is mundane, as she returns home each night to her husband Phil (John C. Reilly), a house painter who spends most of his time getting high with his friend Bubba (Tim Blake Nelson). Justine feels trapped and longs for an escape.
One day, a new young cashier named Holden Worther (Jake Gyllenhaal) begins working at Retail Rodeo. Holden keeps to himself and reads "The Catcher in the Rye" constantly. Justine and Holden start spending time together, having lunch and hanging out after work. One day, Holden sends Justine a letter saying he will leave town if she doesn't meet him. They agree to have a secret affair, meeting at a motel.
As their relationship progresses, Justine begins to feel more alive than she has in a long time. However, her husband Phil discovers the charges for the motel on their credit card and confronts Justine, who lies and tells him the child is his. Holden wants Justine to run away with him, but she ultimately decides to stay with Phil.
The Good Girl received positive reviews, with praise for the performances, particularly Jennifer Aniston's dramatic turn. The film holds an 82% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 159 reviews, with an average score of 6.8/10. Critics highlighted the film's dark humor and honest portrayal of suburban malaise. The film marked a departure for Aniston, known primarily for her comedic roles on television and in films. Her performance as the unhappy Justine was well-received and showcased her dramatic range.
The film received several award nominations, including Best Screenplay at the Film Independent Spirit Awards (won by Mike White), Best Female Lead at the Film Independent Spirit Awards (Jennifer Aniston), Best Supporting Male at the Film Independent Spirit Awards (John C. Reilly), and Best Actress at the Online Film Critics Society Awards (Jennifer Aniston). The Good Girl's blend of dark comedy and emotional drama made it a critical success, even if it was not a major box office hit.