The Go-Getter

I attended the world premiere of "The Go-Getter" at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival. I'm not quite sure why, but this year's lineup seems to be heavy on heavy. I like a dark, moody melodrama as much as anybody, but whatever happened to the good old-fashioned road movie? I found the answer with "The Go-Getter." This film is all that and more. One part sweet love story, one part romantic comedy, and one part coming-of-age tale, "The Go-Getter" takes it all on the road and drives home a winning combination that will leave you smiling.

Lou Taylor Pucci (Mercer) is a good kid, but one day he decides to chuck his bike and steal a car. I don't like to post spoilers, so I won't divulge more details other than to say that the trip on which he embarks will take him on a journey that would make "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" blush.

Like any good road movie, he encounters one motley crew after another, a cast of characters all of whom get him just one step closer to the goal he seeks. But like a treasure hunt whose map takes him to places enticing enough to have him abandon his quest, he needs to keep his wandering eye on the prize. And oh, the temptresses who cause that eye to wander.

Jena Malone is Joely, a sultry vixen (quite the change for Ms. Malone) who is determined to pop Mercer's cherry. What a breath of fresh air to see this versatile young actress take on such an empowering role. Women's Lib ain't over yet. Zooey Deschanel is Kate. It's her car he stole. And she is determined to get it back -- or is she? The "indie darling" gets her chance to shine here, and the tension that builds towards a possible reunion of car and owner holds this story together like a rope ties down a trunk when the lock is broken. We're never quite sure if it'll hold.

And Lou Taylor Pucci has never been better in his role as the determined yet naive youth whose trusting nature and sense of wonder left me wanting to roll back the years to a time when everything was fresh and new. Pucci's sense of comedic timing and natural delivery is second to none, and while some of his dialog was indeed improvised, I was shocked to learn that the scenes which felt the most unscripted were, in fact, from the pen of writer/director Martin Hynes.

In the Q&A after the screening here, I was fascinated to hear that a deliberate attempt was made to cast against type. As each of the three leads has a rabid following, Hynes' script was meant to give each actor's fan base something they had never seen before: Malone as Woman, Deschanel as glamour girl, and Pucci as, well, he got his hair cut, anyway. Hope and Crosby must be smiling at this winning team.

M. Ward wrote the score, with original songs that left me wanting more. Licensing source material is pricey for an indie, but who needs hit singles when you have someone as talented as this brilliant composer? What a coup to bring him into this project. Byron Shah shot two films here at Sundance, "An American Crime" (which I saw as well) and "The Go-Getter." That alone says a lot about his eye for capturing this kind of character-driven story so well. Between Shah's photography, David Birdsell's editing, and Hynes' talent for allowing his actors to tell the story, "The Go-Getter" never wanders into pretentious indie territory. It stays accessible, which is why audiences will embrace this film wholeheartedly.

"The Go-Getter" gets it right. It's warm and funny and sweet, and at this festival of doom and gloom, what a joy it was to travel down this road.

I rarely write reviews unless something really catches my attention, which this film absolutely did. I was hesitant at first to watch it, but I decided to anyway. I almost turned it off in the first few minutes, but I waited just a bit longer and was hooked.

I believe both Lou Taylor Pucci and Zooey Deschanel gave outstanding performances and made this movie entirely believable. They were easy to connect with and hard not to like. Zooey, although you do not see her most of the movie, really adds depth and mystery to the movie. She seems to have that quality about her.

The plot was addicting and perfectly executed. There were many quirky moments, some of them almost stupid, that really livened up the scene when needed. I don't feel I need to get into the plot in detail. All I have left to say is you won't be disappointed.

This is one of the most sweet, romantic and entertaining (unlikely) love stories I have seen in years. This is a MUST see! Very highly recommended. The opening scene; main character Mercer describes how he feels stuck. He is dealing with the loss of his mother and has yet to spread her ashes. Half brother Arlen doesn't even know she died. Mercer decides to make a change in his life. Like Huckleberry Finn our "go-getter" sets out on an adventure. This road trip starts with a car. Of course stealing a car is very out of charter for Mercer and when he's contacted by the owner (cell phone left in car) he apologizes profusely and an unlikely relationship begins. She believes this situation is fate (in the end it does bring them together). Mercer is headed to Reno to find his brother but detours to find and old girl friend in Fallen. The road trip leads him through many states, detours, characters and life lessons, all the while led by a narrating series of conversations with the car owner who eventually catches up with him in Sacramento. Zooey Deschanel has a beautiful dreamy voice; her tone and her 'sweet girl next door' authenticity, is perfect for the role. I didn't know Lou Pucci before this but what a fantastic actor. The script is smart and touching and very heartfelt. The acting is sensational. Overall, this is a believable story with interesting lovable characters. A FANTASTIC indie Drama. Highly Recommended! Hope this is Helpful!

Greetings again from the darkness. Saw this one at the AFI Film Fest and fully expect it to be on my top ten list at year end. This is everything I love about going to the movies ... great script, stunning photography and realistic performances all wrapped up in a straight-from-the-soul package delivered by a passionate writer-director who refused to compromise on his vision.

Lou Taylor Pucci (so terrific in "Thumbsucker") stars as a 19 year old who schemes to "borrow" a car so he can track down his long-lost half brother to inform him that their mother has passed away. The road trip that follows is very funny, a little frightening and full of self-realization and oddball characters ... not the least of which is the owner of the car: a 24 year old Zooey Deschanel. The two create quite the bond during an ongoing cell phone conversation as Pucci drives her car from city to city in his brotherly search. Anyone still not fully aware of Ms. Deschanel's talents are truly deprived. She is ultra-talented and so very soulful and interesting.

On the trip, Pucci tracks down his old junior high school crush played by the always-willing-to-take-a-risk Jena Malone. Writer/Director Martin Hynes admitted the role was written with Ms. Malone in mind and she was quick to commit after reading the script. Her offbeat appeal makes it easy to see how Pucci would become enamored and fall blindly for this babe that anyone's mom would prohibit her son from seeing! Another great character whom Pucci stumbles across is played wonderfully by Maura Tierney. Regrettably this story line is fairly brief, but suffice to say, you have NEVER seen a band like the one Ms. Tierney invites Pucci to join. Speaking of music, the soundtrack is excellent and compliments every scene. Much of the music is that of M Ward, who is actually the guitar player who gives Pucci the shirt off his back in the film.

Supposedly the film will have wide release in August, and I will do whatever I can to ensure word-of-mouth gets this one seen by everyone I know who loves a great story and thought-provoking, funny film. On a side note, the producer of the film, Lucy Barzun, is someone I am definitely pulling for. She also produced an amazing "little" film called "Pieces of April" and has an obvious eye and love for these marvelous visions of up and coming filmmakers. We need more people like Lucy Barzun.

Apologies everyone, but I am totally in love with Zooey Deschanel. She coos on the phone, she dances in black and white, she even sings on the soundtrack in that dreamy, sleepy voice of hers ("When I Reach the Border"). And she does it all with casual grace, not nearly trying half as hard as most other actresses her age. I cannot wait to see her as Janis Joplin in "The Gospel According to Janis". Director Martin Hynes teams her up with a slightly quirky, yet very charming male lead (Lou Taylor Pucci). They take the laughter and the tears as the off-beat script sends them on a somewhat unusual road trip in pursuit of his past and her future, taking viewers right back to that magical nowhere land between adolescence and adulthood. They even get to play the identity game ("20 questions") twice, two thirds into the story and, again, in the closing scene. Essentially, "The Go-Getter" gives you romance minus the usual cheese. Think "Rushmore" meets "Elizabethtown", with a soulful indie soundtrack. Notable off-screen guest appearance by Brian McNamara as the voice of the book on tape.