I'm a Good Person

Helen is a good person, so when she meets the seemingly perfect Mark, the thought that he might be too good to be true is the furthest thing from her mind. With his charming smile, deep voice, and undeniable confidence, one could argue that it is easy to overlook everything else. With I’m A Good Person, actor Tamsin Topolski steps behind the camera for her narrative debut,  delivering a dark comedy that humorously calls out toxic positivity and how dangerous it can be to only see the glass half full.

Written by Ross O’Donnellan, Topolski shared with us that the film was penned “as a response to the misuse of mental health language and ‘therapy speak’, not only as a manipulative tool in coercive relationships, but also as a general means of justifying behaving like an asshole really”. The satire in I’m A Good Person comes from pushing the concept to its limits, almost entering absurd territory to tackle this dark topic through a comedic lens. The universal nature of the theme effectively enhances the tone, striking a careful balance between its severity and its approach. This perfect mix not only grants the film a fresh take on the topic, but an engaging one as well.

“I was interested in approaching this film as a character driven piece”

Topolski explained that she came on board as director during the final stages of script development and was “interested in approaching this film as a character driven piece . . . giving space to allow the brilliant dialogue to take centre stage”. While the screenplay is indeed clever and sharply written, Simon Plunket’s cinematography and Caitlin Spiller’s editing work together to create an engaging yet unsettling atmosphere that heightens the dark satire of the narrative. Throughout the short’s 15-minute duration Topolski creates a mounting tension, subtly raising the emotional stakes until the audience craves an actual release.

At the core of I’m A Good Person lies a very effective contradiction that is reflected in every aspect: an exaggerated positivity juxtaposed with actual abuse, emotional and physical danger. Helen wants to stay positive at all cost, despite the obvious red flags that quickly surface under Mark’s superficially perfect exterior. Thanks to its humorous approach, Helen’s situation is easy to identify, to some extent, and her character is instantly easy to root for, without ever being too saccharine or cheesy. This balance is largely achieved thanks to the funny exposition and the chronological structure of the film.

Ross O’Donnellan not only wrote I’m a Good Person, but stars as Mark in the short

With Laure Stockley starring as Helen and, in a surprising turn of events, writer O’Donnellan taking on the role of Mark, the performances are paramount to the success of the film. Directed by Topolski, herself an actor, both lead performers nail the distinct sharpness of the screenplay, each in a style that complements the film’s tone. Their chemistry, which Topolski partly credits to rehearsals, and how they play off of one another as the situation escalates is just as captivating as it is entertaining, in a cringy way.

Topolski is currently working on several projects in various roles. As an actor, she starred in Netflix’s The Madness alongside Colman Domingo. She is also in the process of completing a short documentary that she is editing, as well as writing her next narrative short, which she plans to direct later this year.