GO A film review by Matt Williams
RATING: * * * 1/2 out of * * * *
Documenting the wild and unbelievable events that happen to a collection of twentysomethings and teens in Los Angeles, the exuberant movie, Go, is a film that doesn't feel original, yet sure is fun to watch.
The film intertwines three stories over one fateful Christmas Eve. The first revolves around grocery store clerk Ronna (Sarah Polley). She is about to be evicted from her apartment, unless she can come up with the necessary money in the next 24 hours. Hope comes in the form of two bickering actors (Scott Wolf and Jay Mohr), who are looking to score some ecstasy for an all-night rave. Ronna decides to do this one time drug deal for some quick cash...but quickly gets in over her head.
The second storyline follows four thrillseekers (including Desmond Askew, Taye Diggs, and Breckin Meyer) on a Christmas trip to Vegas. The twenty-four hours that follow seem to spring from both their wildest fantasies and nightmares.
The final story brings back elements of the first two, as the aforementioned actors, Adam and Zack have their own set of misadventures. Primarily, they center around the duo's run-in with a mysteriously eccentric character, Burke (William Fichtner). But the story launches from there to tie in elements of the other two plotlines as well.
It's impossible to watch Go without thinking about Pulp Fiction, but at least in this instance, the comparison is favorable. Both films tell an anthology of stories, with titles preceding each one, and a non-linear chronological structure. But whereas Pulp Fiction was about criminals who were shockingly acting like normal people, Go is rather about normal people who are shockingly acting like criminals.
One thing that sets Go apart from the pack is the acting. From the leads, down to the supporting members, each actor has been flawlessly cast. However, Sarah Polley certainly stands above the crowd. From The Sweet Hereafter to her performance here, she is proving herself one of the most talented actresses of her generation. Another great performance comes from William Fichtner (another Pulp Fiction nod), who gives the film a fine, creepy supporting performance.
The plot of Go is well written, and is able to stand on its own, even without the borrowed structural gimmick. The dialogue is sharp and lively, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep everyone on their toes.
The intelligence of the script, the director and the actors allows Go to rise above the level of a simple copycat picture. Funny, shocking and overall entertaining, Go delivers.
Copyright 1999 Matt Williams
- Matt Williams (matt@cinematter.com) Reviewer for Cinematter: http://www.cinematter.com Home of nearly 700 reviews, and information on over 750 upcoming releases
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