I found the film quite frustrating, because while I hate the argument that “the main character wasn’t likable” as a lazy one, my problem was that not only was Sandler’s character not likable, but he also wasn’t interesting in his unlikeability.
Some good examples are Denzel Washington in Training Day, Ray Liotta in GoodFellas (especially the last half hour) and even Robert Pattinson in the Safdie Brothers’ Good Time. All these characters are in high-pressure situations (specifically related to problems of crime and addiction) and while none of these guys are good people, they are compelling characters, balancing their uncontrollable compulsions with personality traits that are incredibly smart (or at least clever), wily, charismatic, and multi-dimensional. They’re all interesting people because of their complexities despite their amorality.
But Sandler’s Howard is essentially a sociopath, with utter disregard for other people in his life because of his gambling addiction (and likely, an adrenaline junkie for phenomenally risky behavior) but outside of that, not very interesting as a character. His wife, mistress, brother-in-law and father (all terrific performances, especially Eric Begosian) are interesting, but his relationship with them consists mostly of yelling, cursing, gaslighting, and then trying to make amends (never convincingly). So while the pace is breakneck, there was absolutely nothing about him that was compelling, because he’s not particularly smart, wily, or charismatic. He’s a character who only knows how to hump one note over and over again–entitled (and remarkably stupid) rage mixed with thick-headed self-pity.
Now yes, I’m sure there are people just like that out there, but that doesn’t automatically make good drama imho. Howard is a black hole that sucks everyone into his misery and while family is family, I can’t see one thing that his mistress sees in him. He doesn’t even have his typical cutesy-funny hang-dog look that allows Sandler to score gorgeous babes in his rom coms. He’s just a nightmare and I can only consider the finale an unconditionally happy ending (except perhaps for Arno’s fate). Howard’s crazy parlays are not really a vindication of his true insight but just proof that an addict will do or say anything out of desperation and his payout wouldn’t have changed anything in his life, so there’s no tragedy in getting his comeuppance.
So while this is all conveyed with an undeniable immediacy by the Safdie Bros, the film doesn’t take me anywhere interesting or reveal something compelling (except for on the margins, outside of Howard’s toxic influence). I had my problems with Good Time, but I think that is a far better movie in every way (especially aesthetically, with some really remarkable nighttime photography that adds a ton of ambience that this film lacks). I’m still keen on what the Safdies and Sandler (in stretching his persona) have to offer in the future, but this was largely a bust for me.
