Go Now

Multiple sclerosis (MS), like AIDS, strikes people in the prime of their lives. MS plays a central role in Go Now, but the film is not a chronicle of the disease's progress. Go Now is about two young working-class Scots who have just fallen in love. They're 'just folks'; starting out, enjoying life. Sadly, it won't be so pedestrian as Nick, played by Robert Carlyle begins to display disquieting physical symptoms. Slowly, as his health deteriorates, the reality of his situation is revealed. It is a great test for the young lovers, and this is really what the movie is about; love. The actors and director have made a very moving film that I can highly recommend.

I've been really impressed with Robert Carlyle's work ever since I saw him in "Priest," and I've been working my way through all his films -- but I had the hardest time finding this one! I finally bought the video, sight unseen, just to see it!

I'm so glad that I did. It's a joy finally to see Robert Carlyle have the opportunity to do a complete person, from laughter to tears, with terrible physical failings and equally terrible emotional struggles. He's a wonderful actor, and it's a treat to see him with a relaxed face, easy -- fully human! He seems to have gotten stuck in the villain or psycho category by American casting agents -- a kind of Scots contemporary Peter Lorre.... But in this role he's just lovely!

The film itself is that sort that the Brits do so well, "a little film" -- character study, working class, interesting without trying to be earthshaking. I suspect that the difficulty of understanding the accents (not just Carlyle's "deepest Glaswegian", but the several other regional accents (notably "Tony"'s Irish) has contributed to the film's obscurity in the States, but it's well worth seeking out. In fact, I'm glad I bought it, because I think it bears re-viewing, if for no other reason than that it's likely to take me a few times through before I actually catch all the lines!

Nice use, too, of series of still photos, especially of the football (soccer) "mates" captured in classic "yearbook" style, with funny captions!

Other reviewers have commented on how weak they thought the acting was, other than Carlyle. I disagree. I think the acting is fine, but the script has definitely under-developed the other characters, especially Karin. We see so much of Nick's inner life, but almost none of hers. I suspect these writers may do men quite well (hearty "mates", whether football or druggies!), but not women. Remember the women in "Trainspotting"?

In any case, well worth the viewing, especially for Robert Carlyle's lovely performance.

This small BBC-produced gem stars the ever excellent Robert Carlyle (Riff-Raff, Trainspotting, Priest, The World is not enough) as an MS-afflicted soccer player/construction worker, whose struggle against the horrible disease (Multiple sclerosis) is depicted with warmth, humor and horror. Plenty of sex and raucous scenes make for a stunningly real and unconventional film. But it´s Robert Carlyle´s astonishing performance that deserves attention. Not really that much to learn here about the disease itself, but the film is touching and realistic, a far cry from similar-themed Hollywood products. Juliet Aubrey as his girlfriend is worth noting, too. ***

One of the best and most serious movies I've ever seen. Robert Carlyle is really fantastic; it was so difficult to play such a difficult part and he did deliver a stunning performance. It's unbelievable how this picture depicts the tragedy of a person hit by this terrible illness. No commonplace in the whole film, a description of an average life of an average man (actually an average couple) destroyed by Multiple Sclerosis. Congratulations to the director for dealing with a dramatic subject in a very intelligent way, showing how hard it is to find the strength to carry on in those situations, but without ending up with pitying the sick person. Everything is amazingly real, even the long sex scene at the beginning of the love affair that will eventually turn into an everlasting love story. Of course I do highly recommend this movie.

Although many people may have seen this movie to see Robert Carlyle- understandably so, as he is a very fine actor- I saw this movie because I have Multiple Sclerosis and I wanted to see the manner in which the subject was depicted. I can honestly say this film was very true to life, particularly in the way it portrays the kind of emotional and physical pain having such a condition can cause. Since the kind of MS that Carlyle's character has is Chronic Progressive MS- the most serious form- it is very painful and sad to watch, but necessary to see for anyone who wants to understand the effect a disease such as MS has on a person, as well as their loved ones. I was downright relieved by the accuracy of the description of the symptoms, since MS has been the subject of some very ignorant TV shows and films. The major downside to the film is the overall weakness of the other actors, particularly when compared to Carlyle's stellar performance. Juliet Aubrey is particularly weak and unconvincing in the key role of the girlfriend. But this should not deter one from seeing it. Anyone who has MS or knows someone who has MS or any other kind of debilitating condition should see this film. You might learn something from it. As an added the plus, the soundtrack, which consists entirely of classic American R&B and Soul (most of which don't get heard too often) is wonderful.