Good on Paper
Starring: Iliza Shlesinger, Margaret Cho, Ryan Hansen, Rebecca Rittenhouse
Directed By: Kimmy Gatewood
Rated: TV-MA

Do you ever meet a date who seems to be perfect, but something is just off? They are checking all the boxes, but the vibes aren’t right. Listen, I fully believe you need to trust your gut when you have doubts. It’s a big world out there; if you have a bad feeling, there are other fish in the sea!

In Iliza Schlesinger’s new film, Good on Paper, she takes a page from her own past dating experience as inspiration. In the film, she plays Andrea, an up-and-coming comic who is looking for her big break. In a chance airport encounter, she meets Dennis, a charming guy investment banker. Andrea and Dennis become close friends, and a potential romance develops between the two. The end. Just kidding. It’s not that simple. Dennis is hiding something behind the seemingly nice guy facade, and Andrew is about to find out that being “good on paper” isn’t always what it seems.

I’ve been a fan of Iliza Schlesinger since watching her standup on Netflix a few years ago. She’s funny and has a lot of insightful things to say about dating as a woman in the 21st century. I wasn’t sure what to expect from this Netflix original because the trailer was a bit flat. But it was enjoyable to watch! I laughed a lot through this movie, and the plot kept me entertained. Iliza has great comedic timing and proves she can carry a film on her own. Let’s be real; dating right now is tough, and it’s important to look out for red flags. Good on Paper realistically presents that dynamic.

Margaret Cho and Rebecca Rittenhouse are humorous supporting characters Margot (Andrea’s best friend) and Serena (Andrea’s acting nemesis). Ryan Hansen plays the seemingly nice guy, Dennis, with a creepy secret.

There are times that the film goes too far into slapstick territory. The third act especially goes too far with its over-the-top twists and turns. Was I entertained? Yes. Was it ridiculous? Also yes. So keep that in mind.

Iliza Schlesinger takes from personal experience with Good on Paper, a funny and intriguing movie about a seemingly good relationship with a secret. Some sequences are a little too over the top, but all in all, this is an entertaining Netflix original about finding the red flags before it’s too late.
My Rating: 6/10