The Good House Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A boozy New England realtor spills tea (and Merlot) about everyone in town, including herself, while trying to fix her life and maybe date her high school contractor crush.

🍿 The Good House: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Meet Hildy Good, Coastal Realtor

Hildy Good is a long-time resident and successful realtor in the quaint, upper-middle-class New England village of Wendover, Massachusetts. A descendant of one of the area’s founding families, Hildy is deeply connected to her community and proud of her heritage. However, behind her practiced facade, her life is beginning to show cracks, particularly concerning a past drinking problem she doesn’t fully acknowledge.

Navigating Business and Personal Challenges

Since completing rehab after an intervention by her family, Hildy secretly continues to drink. Her real estate business is struggling, losing clients to a former associate who took advantage during her absence. Despite financial pressures, she continues to support her two adult daughters, Tess and Emily. Hildy also develops a friendship with Rebecca McAllister, a new, somewhat needy resident involved in a complicated affair.

A Rekindled Connection

Amidst her personal and professional turmoil, Hildy reconnects with Frank Getchell, her high school crush. Frank is now a successful, grounded local businessman running a maintenance and fishing operation. Their renewed acquaintance offers a potential source of stability and romance in Hildy’s life, contrasting sharply with her current struggles.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Hildy Good (Sigourney Weaver): A successful but struggling New England realtor who is in denial about her escalating alcoholism.
• Frank Getchell (Kevin Kline): Hildy’s practical and supportive old high school crush who reconnects with her amidst her troubles.
• Rebecca McAllister (Morena Baccarin): A lonely new resident befriended by Hildy whose own complicated life includes an affair.
• Scott (David Rasche): Hildy’s supportive gay ex-husband who remains involved in her life and family affairs.
• Tess (Rebecca Henderson): One of Hildy’s adult daughters who is concerned about her mother’s drinking and is still financially dependent.
• Emily (Molly Brown): One of Hildy’s adult daughters who participated in an intervention for her mother’s alcoholism.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Hildy Good: “Where are blackouts when you need them?” – Said with dark, sarcastic humor, reflecting on her struggle with alcohol and the consequences of her drinking.
• Hildy Good: “This is Wendover. Been here three centuries. And let me tell you, it hasn’t always been pretty.” – Directly addressing the audience, introducing them to her ancestral town and hinting at its underlying complexities.
• Hildy Good: “They say I have a ‘problem.’ I say I have a *solution*.” – A defiant rationalization delivered to the audience, illustrating her deep denial about her alcoholism.
• Hildy Good: “You think you know a place? You think you know people? Trust me, you don’t know *this* place.” – Speaking conspiratorially to the audience, highlighting the hidden layers and secrets within the small community.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $10 million
• Domestic Gross: $2,219,760
• Worldwide Gross: $2,279,914

💥 The Good House Reviews

Personal Review

Wow, watching ‘The Good House’ felt like settling in with a friend who has *a lot* going on. Sigourney Weaver is just fantastic as Hildy, navigating her messy life with this incredible mix of charm and denial. I was completely drawn into her world from the moment she started talking directly to the camera – it felt so intimate and, yeah, a little shocking at first, but it totally worked for me. The scenes where she’s grappling with her drinking felt so raw and real; it wasn’t over the top, just this subtle, heartbreaking struggle. And seeing her reconnect with Kevin Kline’s character? Pure joy. Their chemistry is effortless, like watching two old pros just *be* with each other. Even with some parts feeling a bit slow or plot lines not fully resolving, the emotional core of the movie, and especially Hildy’s journey, really stuck with me. It’s the kind of film that makes you think about life, mistakes, and the possibility of finding happiness later on. I’d definitely recommend it if you’re looking for a character-focused drama with superb acting and a touch of genuine heart.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of character-driven dramas”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about addiction and recovery”
  • “Fans of Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline, especially their on-screen chemistry”
  • “Those who enjoy films set in picturesque small towns”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Alcoholism and addiction themes”
  • “Brief sexuality”
  • “Language”

Professional Reviews

• Adapted User Reviews: “Sigourney Weaver delivers a masterclass performance, anchoring this nuanced dramedy about denial and second chances. Her fourth-wall breaks are divisive but allow for deep character insight. While the pacing occasionally feels slow, the film is elevated by the authentic portrayal of small-town life and the magnetic chemistry between Weaver and Kevin Kline. A mature, character-driven piece worth seeing for the acting alone.
• Adapted User Reviews: “This film succeeds largely on the strength of its leads. Sigourney Weaver is phenomenal, making a flawed character incredibly relatable. Kevin Kline provides a grounded, charming counterpoint. The exploration of alcoholism feels real and impactful, avoiding melodrama. Some narrative threads feel less developed, and the overall tone shifts, but the core story about Hildy’s journey is compelling.

Audience Reactions

Sigourney Weaver’s performance is universally praised as outstanding.: Viewers loved the chemistry between Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline and found the portrayal of alcoholism authentic and moving. Many appreciated seeing a character-driven story focusing on older adults.

The small-town New England setting felt very real.: The film’s setting was beautiful and contributed to the atmosphere. The supporting cast was also noted for adding depth and color to the town’s dynamics.

Overall Consensus: A strong showcase for Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline, praised for its authentic portrayal of addiction and small-town life, though opinions are mixed on pacing and narrative choices like breaking the fourth wall.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Although set in the quaint New England town of Wendover, Massachusetts, the entire film was shot on location in Nova Scotia, Canada.”
• “The film extensively utilizes breaking the fourth wall, with Sigourney Weaver’s character Hildy Good frequently speaking directly to the audience, offering commentary and insights into the story and other characters.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Good House?

As of April 2025, ‘The Good House’ is scheduled to stream on Peacock. It was also available for streaming on Prime Video according to user reviews. The film may also be available to rent or purchase on major digital platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Good House, you might like these similar films:

• Dave (1993): Features Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline in another film together, showcasing their strong chemistry in a clever comedic-drama setting.
• The Ice Storm (1997): Stars Sigourney Weaver and Kevin Kline, exploring complex adult lives and relationships in a period drama setting, offering a darker, more dramatic tone.
• Something’s Gotta Give (2003): A character-driven romantic dramedy centered on older protagonists navigating unexpected life changes and relationships, similar in tone and target audience.
• Still Alice (2014): A powerful drama featuring a veteran actress in a central role dealing with a profound personal challenge, exploring themes of identity, family, and resilience.
• Frances Ha (2012): Focuses on a woman navigating life’s uncertainties, friendships, and self-discovery in a specific setting, offering a character-focused, indie dramedy feel with a strong female lead.

🛒 The Good House Related Products

• The Good House by Ann Leary: The acclaimed novel that inspired the movie, offering deeper insights into Hildy Good’s thoughts and struggles.
• Sigourney Weaver & Kevin Kline Film Collection: A curated collection featuring their other memorable collaborations like ‘Dave’ and ‘Ice Storm’.
• New England Coastal Living Home Decor Guide: A beautiful book showcasing the charm and style of New England homes and landscapes featured prominently in the film.
• Alcoholics Anonymous Big Book or Personal Recovery Journal: Resources offering support, stories, and tools for individuals navigating recovery.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Good House features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Time of the Season” – performed by The Zombies

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

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