“Go” closed out the 90s with a stylish film that could only exist at that time. Released in the spring of 1999, this black comedy boasts big stars in early roles, an interwoven plot in the mold of Tarantino, and pure Gen X angst from all parties involved.
“Go” includes two elements I love in film; multiple perspectives of the same event, and a story that begins and ends within the confines of a single night. It follows a series of unrelated (but eventually related) vignettes – each of which could be their own full-length picture. It’s the type of movie we’ve witnessed before as a random night out quickly gets derailed.
So 90s in Plot and Peeps
Ronna (Sarah Polley) is a cashier at a grocery store who decides to rip off a low-level drug dealer (Timothy Olyphant). Ronna needs money or else she will be evicted, or ho-ho-homeless as a coworker says – the story takes place during the Christmas season. Elsewhere, Simon (Desmond Askew) is in route to a Guys Night in Vegas. A narc (William Fichtner) is scheming to take everyone down. It’s impossible to detail the plot any further. This snippet barely scratches the intricate surface.
The rest of the ensemble cast includes 90s nostalgic faces. Scott Wolf, Jay Mohr, Katie Holmes, Taye Diggs, Breckin Meyer and Melissa McCarthy in her first film. McCarthy was still one year away from her breakout in ‘Gilmore Girls.’ Likewise, Timothy Olyphant would go on to great fame in ‘Deadwood.’ Katie Holmes was one season into ‘Dawson’s Creek.’ The acting is fine from everyone, though we aren’t watching for Shakespearian performance.
How did I miss this?
As a student of all things 90s, I’m not sure how this film evaded me for 25 years. I was the target age upon its release for a night of drinking, partying, and shenanigans. That it begins at a grocery store where several characters work is equally relatable as that’s where I was spending my nights in 1999.
I easily related to co-workers plotting their evening inside a dairy cooler. And I laughed out loud in the opening scene when Ronna asks, “Paper or Plastic” to which the annoying customer responds “Both.” Genius.
There is also a trope of a character (Nathan Bexton) being high on ecstasy. The scenes where we see the events from his perspective are hilarious and plausibly done. Anyone who has ever been drunk, high – take your pick – will squirm at how well its presented.
“Go” isn’t without flaws. While I love the multiple perspectives of the same night type of story, the subplot involving Ronna is easily the best. The subsequent vignettes each lose a little steam as the 100-minute movie progresses. Maybe adding another perspective but keeping the length the same would have been perfect. Or trimming 10 minutes from the overall movie. Who knows.
We’re 6 months from Christmas and amid a heat wave. “Go” is a fun way to cool off and reminisce about an amazing bygone era. Go watch “Go” tonight.
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