There was a time when the western was one of the most popular genres on television. At one point, there were over 30 western-themed shows on network TV. Today, a television western seems like an iffy proposition, especially one produced by the Hallmark channel. Add to that the fact that it's brought to us by two guys from the original Beverly Hills 90210 and Goodnight for Justice becomes a dark horse in the realm of made-for-TV movies. Surprisingly, it's not that bad. It's no True Grit but there are worse ways to spend 90 minutes.
Goodnight for Justice is directed by 90210 alumni Jason Priestley and starring his Beverly Hills buddy Luke Perry. The duo of former teen heartthrobs collaborate on this decent but unremarkable horse opera with mixed results. There are some good lines of dialogue and the period details are well done on a TV budget, but the meandering story needs focus. The performances are workmanlike but ultimately forgettable.
Perry plays the eponymous John Goodnight, a hard-living but angst ridden lawyer who is roped against his will into being a roaming circuit court judge in the wild Wyoming territories. "The Wyoming territory is the most dangerous, lawless place in America", Goodnight says. Begrudgingly accepting the job, he travels the frontier, setting up makeshift courthouses to try prisoners and sort out civil disagreements. He's a tad reminiscent of Judge Roy Bean (Although Perry is no Paul Newman) Some of the cases are trivial and silly, while others are more serious, often regarding Native American Indians. The repeated theme of the unfair treatment of Indians pops up repeatedly in the film. (It's well intentioned, if not subtle.) Goodnight generally plays by the rules but when he has to, he will toss aside the rulebook and teach a hard lesson to those who need it.
The second half of the film finds Judge Goodnight returning to the town where his parents were killed in front of his eyes when he was a boy. Goodnight has been dreaming for years about finding Justice for his family and coincidental circumstances may now give him the chance to do just that. Along the way, he meets pretty Kate (Lara Gilchrist, who gives the most effective performance in the film) who becomes not only his love interest but may have a secret that will drive a wedge between her and Goodnight.
The plot of Goodnight for Justice has aspects of the early 1990s TV show The Adventures of Briscoe County, Jr., about a legal expert travelling the old west, trying to track down his father's killer; except that this movie doesn't have the whimsical sense of humor that show had. Revenge stories are a tried-and-true plot device and this one isn't particularly original, but at least Goodnight avoids the usual cliché of the obsessed avenger by having Goodnight be a Judge who sticks (mostly) to the law. The script makes a point of saying that there's a thin line between justice and revenge, and Goodnight has to be careful not to cross it.
For the most part, Perry gives a good performance as the titular Judge, but he misses the mark at times. He's good at giving Goodnight a world-weary feel. However, he lacks any real sense of passion when it comes to dealing with his character's obsession about hunting down the man who brutally murdered his mother and father. He remains laid back at all times, which isn't necessarily a bad acting choice but it doesn't help us relate to a character who has waited so long for revenge yet lacks any apparent zeal.
Goodnight for Justice (The title itself is a play on words) has some good points and there are much worse westerns out there. It's nothing exceptional or original but it will manage to hold your interest for its short running time.
DVD Bonus Features
Goodnight for Justice has an "on location" featurette, which gives us a behind-the-scenes look at the filming of the movie. There are also interviews with director Jason Priestly, and stars Luke Perry and Lara Gilchrist.
"Goodnight for Justice" is on sale April 12, 2011 and is not rated. Western. Directed by Jason Priestley. Written by Tippy and Neal Dobrofsk. Starring Lara Gilchrist, Luke Perry.
