I love a good indie comedy-drama, and “One of the Good Ones” is, in fact, one of the good ones. Director Julie O’Hora leans into her film’s character work more than its polish, and that’s ultimately what makes it such a pleasure to watch.
The film follows Buffalo attorney Dean Alessi (Tom Paolino), who works in the Lawyer Disciplinary Office and takes his oath to protect the public from unethical attorneys very seriously. In a system shaped by politics, greed, and corruption, he’s the rare person still trying to hold others accountable even as his own life starts to fall apart. Inspired by real-world cases involving lawyer disciplinary proceedings in Buffalo, NY, the story has just enough grounding in reality to give its drama that extra bite that’s so much fun.
The character of Dean is the film’s strongest asset. He’s messy, determined, a little worn down, and very easy to root for. Paolino’s engaging performance anchors the story, especially as the stakes escalate from internal office conflicts to a larger conspiracy involving a corrupt District Attorney and allegations of murder. As the plot grows in intensity, the film stays centered on Dean’s personal struggle to do the right thing even when it costs him everything. There’s something endlessly likable about that.
O’Hora does a terrific job at setting the tone. The film balances humor and drama in a way that keeps it grounded, letting Dean feel human rather than overly heroic. He’s not a polished legal savior, just someone stubborn enough to keep pushing forward when most people would give up.
This isn’t a mega-budget production, and the film’s indie roots are obvious. Some supporting performances feel uneven, and the production design is fairly minimal, resulting in moments where the limitations are noticeable. But instead of sinking the film, that roughness adds a charming authenticity that feels like a real, imperfect world rather than a stylized courtroom fantasy.
“One of the Good Ones” doesn’t try to be flashy or reinvent the genre, and that’s so refreshing. This character-driven legal drama about integrity, burnout, and the cost of doing what’s right is just happy to tell a straightforward story about one man refusing to look away.
By: Louisa Moore
Screen Zealots 