The Good Night

The Good Night

Year: 2007

Runtime: 93 min

Language: English

Director: Jake Paltrow

DramaFantasyComedyRomance

Gary, a struggling musician whose career and relationship have stalled, feels increasingly overshadowed by his successful best friend. His life takes an unexpected turn when he encounters Anna, a woman he falls for in his dreams. Their connection exists only in his sleep, prompting Gary to seek a way to deepen his slumber and pursue this ethereal romance. He enlists the guidance of a new age guru in a quest to bridge the gap between his dreams and reality.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen The Good Night yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline – The Good Night (2007)

Trace every key event in The Good Night (2007) with our detailed, chronological timeline. Perfect for unpacking nonlinear stories, spotting hidden connections, and understanding how each scene builds toward the film’s climax. Whether you're revisiting or decoding for the first time, this timeline gives you the full picture.

1

Gary Shaller's Mundane Life

Gary Shaller is introduced as a disillusioned keyboardist who once played in a band called 'On the One'. Now, he finds himself in a life lacking purpose, spending his days writing banal commercial jingles for his friend Paul.

2

Strained Relationship with Dora

Gary's relationship with Dora is on shaky ground, filled with misunderstandings and unfulfilled expectations. Their interactions reveal a disconnect that threatens to unravel their bond as Gary succumbs to his obsessions.

3

Fantastical Dreamscapes Begin

As Gary navigates his uninspired life, he starts experiencing vivid dreamscapes that reveal his subconscious desires. These dreams prominently feature a captivating woman named Anna, sparking a quest for perfection.

4

Exploring Lucid Dreaming

Driven by fascination, Gary delves into the world of lucid dreaming, seeking to exert control over his dreams. He enrolls in classes taught by guru Mel, who inspires him to better understand and explore his subconscious.

5

Reading and Self-Discovery

To expand his understanding of dreams, Gary immerses himself in literature about the subject. This journey of self-discovery is pivotal as it shapes his perceptions and deepens his infatuation with Anna.

6

The Revelation of Anna's Existence

Gary's obsession intensifies when he learns that Anna is a real person, not just a product of his imagination. This revelation changes everything for Gary, igniting hope and determination to meet her.

7

Meeting Anna

Through the efforts of his friend Paul, Gary finally has the opportunity to meet Anna. However, the reality of their encounter starkly contrasts with his idealized vision, leaving Gary feeling disillusioned and heartbroken.

8

Retreating into Dreams

Devastated by his experience with Anna, Gary retreats deeper into his dreams. He takes drastic measures, such as soundproofing his apartment, to create an environment conducive to prolonged dreaming.

9

Guilt Over Dora

As Gary immerses himself in his dream world, he begins to feel overwhelming guilt for neglecting Dora. His attempts to reconnect are fraught with challenges, as reality continues to intrude.

10

The Accident

In a dramatic turn of events, Gary suffers a severe accident when a speeding car collides with him. This incident serves as a catalyst, pushing him further into the realm of his dreams as his physical body remains in peril.

Street
11

Comatose State

The film culminates with Gary in a comatose state, trapped between his dreamland and the real world. He remains enveloped in his dream with Anna, unable to escape the duality of his existence.

Hospital

Last Updated: November 22, 2024 at 11:16

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about dreamy escapism like The Good Night

Characters who retreat into idealized dreams, blurring the line between fantasy and reality.If you liked 'The Good Night' for its exploration of dream worlds as an escape, you'll find similar stories here. This list features movies where characters, often facing a midlife crisis or artistic block, become consumed by a fantasy life, leading to bittersweet consequences. Discover films that blend fantasy, drama, and melancholy with themes of idealization vs. reality.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically follow a protagonist who feels trapped or unfulfilled in their waking life. They discover or create an alternative reality—be it through lucid dreaming, imagination, or a hidden world—that offers everything they lack. The central conflict arises as their obsession with this perfect escape grows, forcing a choice or leading to a collapse between the two worlds, often with a poignant or ambiguous outcome.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here based on their shared focus on the psychological allure of escapism and the bittersweet tension between a disappointing reality and an idealized fantasy. They share a dreamlike mood, a melancholic tone, and a narrative that prioritizes internal, emotional conflict over external action.

Movies about midlife melancholy like The Good Night

Slow, character-driven portraits of dissatisfaction and quiet existential crises.For viewers who appreciated the melancholic and introspective portrayal of midlife crisis in 'The Good Night,' this section gathers similar character studies. These films explore themes of artistic block, relationship dissatisfaction, and the yearning for meaning, all delivered with a slow, thoughtful pace and a medium emotional weight. Find poignant dramas about the quiet struggles of adulthood.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist in the midst of a quiet, internal crisis. There is rarely a major external event; instead, the story unfolds through their growing awareness of their own dissatisfaction and compromises. The journey is one of introspection, as they grapple with unmet expectations and the gap between their youthful ideals and their current reality, often without a clear or happy resolution.

Why These Movies?

These movies are connected by their shared mood of melancholy and yearning, their slow pacing that emphasizes character reflection, and their central theme of midlife discontent. They offer a similar vibe of quiet despair and emotional realism, appealing to viewers seeking thoughtful, character-centric dramas.

Unlock the Full Story of The Good Night

Don't stop at just watching — explore The Good Night in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what The Good Night is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

The Good Night Summary

Read a complete plot summary of The Good Night, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

The Good Night Summary

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Good Night

Discover the characters, locations, and core themes that shape The Good Night. Get insights into symbolic elements, setting significance, and deeper narrative meaning — ideal for thematic analysis and movie breakdowns.

Characters, Settings & Themes in The Good Night

The Good Night Spoiler-Free Summary

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The Good Night Spoiler-Free Summary

More About The Good Night

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