Groove

Groove has often been compared with Human Traffic, but both are actually quite different. While Human Traffic was about a group of people who go to clubs and take drugs, Groove is about an actual rave. Director Greg Harrison is less interested about depicting the lives of the people who go to a rave than trying to cinematic ally get his audience to experience what a rave is like.

On that level, Groove is a triumph. For those who used to rave, this film is the best flashback you'll ever get, the best way to relive the experience. For those who currently rave, it will make you want to go out and find a party NOW. For those who have never raved, the film brilliantly shows the sight and sounds of a rave while trying to be like a rave itself through careful pacing and use of music.

The characters are thinly sketched in the early scenes but that's all we need, it's what they are and do at the rave that matters ,with the exception of the squabbling gay couple who may not make it to the party at all and are hilarious. The growing attraction between experienced 'partied out' girl and dorky novice is touching, and all the characters in the film have at least one stand out moment. Performances are generally strong, and some of the use of sound is superb, such as when the main protagonist is 'coming up'.

The film has been criticized for being pro drugs, but it just shows the drug {especially E}experience in it's various forms. Some characters abstain, some overdo it and pay the price {though like Human Traffic there are refreshingly no deaths or serious fatalities}, most just enjoy themselves. The film is not saying drugs are good for you, it's just saying that drugs are something many people do, and maybe not because that are addicted, but because to them it's fun!

The music is excellent, varied and well chosen. The appearance by a certain superstar DJ at this small rave of around 200 people has been rightly called unrealistic, and lets just say that acting is not his strong point! However comments that parties never start up again after they are shut down {as in this film}are untrue, I experienced it! In any case, it climaxes the film on a true 'high'.

The many shots of people dancing may bore some, and there will be many for whom this film will have no interest at all. But ignore some of the hardcore purists, this is as close to a depiction, and more importantly the experience, of a rave as cinema can probably get.

Just seen 'Groove' for the first time on pay-per-view, after forgetting that it was even made... just remembered about it after seeing it in the cable guide tonight.

Holy crap - they certainly did their homework. I have been in almost every one of the situations in the film at least once over the past 9 years (i've been doing this way too long). Trying to find parties @ 4am, inviting everyone in a club back to my folks house for breakfast, overdoing it too much and becoming comatose, thanking promoters for the "best party ever", sponging tunes of big name DJs, losing it on the dancefloor. Without a doubt the most accurate Rave film I've seen so far (not that there's many too choose from of course).

Some observations - I am the male version of Leyla, too much Trance, US candy kids are hilarious, I recongised Brian B from Hyperreal spinning in the chill room and was like "I'm sure I've seen that guy before" then got it confirmed in the credits, the Asian DJ kid is hilarious at the end, Digweed can't act for toffee.

Finally! A film that dead-on nails the rave experience. It's about time that an emotionally accurate depiction was shown to the public. These intimate underground parties are truly a positive unifying force; bringing all sorts of people together through music. There have been some previous attempts on film to capture the rave scene. Last year's film, "Go," tried, but the rave segment was merely a background setting. The story wasn't ABOUT the party. "Party Girl" was a pretty cool take on the New York scene of several years ago, but still failed to capture the true passionate essence of THE PARTY itself. Mainstream media has inaccurately and negatively smeared raves as being wholly BAD just because of some reckless drug use. Trying to use scare tactics by harping on the constant drug overdoses. It is indeed very unfortunate that there are party-goers who are not smart enough to know their limits. One must remember however that most rave folks' intentions are pure, like the promoter states in the film: It's all about the "nod"... the subtle, grateful acknowledgement from a party-goer who's spirts were lifted by the party. The rave experience is not solely about the pursuit of profit or the "perfect" drug high. It's about joining with your loved ones, friends, and peers in a magical and musical setting where anything seems possible. Even if only for a night (into an early morning!). "Groove" definitely captures this vibe and you can't help but love it. Even if you're not in the "scene," I beleive that there is a universal message of compassion and community that should speak to all. "Groove" literally puts you IN the party... the surround sound with the sounds of other party-goers talking around you create this amazing illusion. You feel like you're actually in the movie, taking part. "Groove" doesn't make you feel like an outsider. It wraps you up and sucks you in and leaves you jones-ing for more. That's why you'll have to make sure that you make plans to go out and dance right after you see it. "Groove" IS the Saturday Night Fever" for the Millennium. Get up and dance and FEEL IT!!!

This movie was pretty good, but it had some parts that I did not like. For instance, another comment, below me, said that a rave is not a time to reflect, and I agree. While it is a time to turn lose, and be yourself, you do not go through a whole, "as drunks call it, a moment of enlightenment"-pulp fiction. When you are rolling, you feel more like touching and feeling, like Colin, rather than talking and expressing. However, a good aspect is that the drugs played a big part in reluctant first-time ravers. It allowed them to leave their inhabitions at the door. Also, if you want a deeper film about the rave scene, check out "Be77er living through circuitry." It is a documentry with great music, visuals, and insight. For those who like fiction, and scripts, see this.

8/10

This film was verrrry well done. To those that say it wasn't...I guess you have never owned a club where raves took place. I did.

I bought this movie in a stack of films and it only cost me 99 cents. Well shock the pants off me.

What I thought would be a lame party and just a bunch of stoners walking around talking trash was certainly an enlightenment.

GROOVE is EXACTLY what a rave is about...and how would I know? I know because I hosted them myself...packed to the hilt in Vancouver B.C. at PLANET X...and you could guess what the X stood for.

Anywayz, this is very well done in terms of casting, lighting performance, music, tone and everything.

The scene that struck me most is when Ernie says this...and this is classic to me.

Guy: Why do you do this to yourself? Don't even get paid, risk getting arrested, for what? Ernie: You don't know? Guy: No. Ernie: The Nod. Guy: The Nod? Ernie: Happens to me at least once every party. Some guy comes up to me and says "Thank you for making this happen... I needed this. This really meant something to me." And they nod... and I nod back. Guy: ... That's it? Ernie: That's it.

That little piece of dialogue is everything...it's what made me want to run the rave at PLANET X, even thought I was't making big bucks...to me it was the NOD...

So I know exactly where Ernie was coming from...and I felt the director Greg Harrison was getting to.

Watch Groove and relive your youth before it slips away from you in your daily 9-5 and rush hour traffic.

I only wish I was at the club...because it was so intense and so real...and made me so jealous that I was only watching it on my TV screen.

With a $500000 budget, this is tops.

Once again, everybody...extras and all cast included...an awesome job and one very satisfied viewer...certainly worth my time.