Never Goin' Back

These two actresses are so natural in these roles its like I am watching a few days in their life rather than a film. Dazed and Confused was my era and I find the differences in both the Music and Culture really interesting. While much has changed from the 70's, much stays the same. Because I teach this age group and could write a book of my observations of a generation which at times seems muddled and lacking in any direction, its films like this that gives better insight into the same quest of every generation... looking for that elusive "unicorn" that Jessie seems to be willing to trip to see but as you come to find out you don't have to go down the rabbit hole to get there

Never Goin' Back is a raunchy, ridiculous, and wildly entertaining film from top to bottom. The pace is fleet, the characters are fun, and the writer/director was able to capture a lightning in a bottle slice of life (for stupid people) on par with the greats. Think 'Tangerine'. Getting it even closer to its comparison, the audience isn't begged to love these two dummies, but it's impossible not to. For all their hare brained ideas and bucket pooping, the inescapable fact is that these are two nearly homeless 16 year old girls with apparently no parents, no direction, no safety net. They've truly slipped through the cracks of the system and have to make or find everything they have; money, rent, furniture, and most importantly joy. I love this film.

Yes, some humor. Not demanding acting roles. Stereotypical fast food workers need money to go on a vacation. Usual drugs; good looking guys; not-so-good looking guys as counterpoint. Drug deal goes awry; get in trouble at work; irresponsible at times. Steal money as if it's OK, but not a good message in this make it real tale. Forgettable, but if you like this type script it's a good time waster.

There really aren't enough stoner buddy female movies and this one was great. I love the girls' personalities and both actresses nailed it. It's frustrating that all these types of characters are usually written for men so it's refreshing to see women break out of the norm.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. Let's be honest and state up front that the 2 lead (female) characters are smokin' hot. Arguably "elevens" on a scale of ten. The movie opens with our 2 lovely young ladies waking up in bed together then engaging in some extremely provocative, playful quasi-sexual activity, in equally sexy attire. For the majority of the movie, our lovely ladies are either disrobing, partially disrobed, or in extremely alluring attire. Is our beautiful couple in a lesbian relationship? The subject matter is hinted at a few times but never stated outright or explored beyond surface banter. These positives alone are responsible for me eagerly watching the movie more than once.

The male portion of the cast is led by the surprise (to me) appearance of Kyle Mooney of recent SNL fame. I've never been a big fan of Mr. Mooney's work but then again he's been an SNL "B lister", only getting small bits. In this movie he really gets a chance to develop his character. A very cool surprise! He plays an adolescent high school kid, a bit socially awkward with raging teenage hormones as his most prominent quality. Perhaps a mix of Wayne and Garth from Wayne's World with a touch of Beavis & Butt-Head. It's truly a great role and highly elevated Kyle's status in my book.

It's a good story that keeps our attention with some truly funny lines and scenes. I'm a tad bit disappointed in the ending. It changes the overall feel of the movie from "all this stuff could really happen" to "ok this is a fantasy". But a big hats off to the movie's creators for showing us that girls can hang with the big boys when it comes to making great "buddy flicks" with a stoner edge. Like Wayne's World, Dude Where's My Car, Clerks, Jay and Silent Bob, etc. And the added eye candy here is just a bonus.