Go Now

Robert Carlyle delivers a stunning performance in this film. Starting off as a rough-and-tumble guy, he really shows range as his character opens up emotionally with the development of a romantic relationship, and then begins a struggle with MS. Confusion, doubt, anger, pain, determination, fear...you name it: he pegs it.

Though the plot could've used a bit more work and the other actors aren't as strong as Carlyle, Go Now is still worth a viewing just for his performance alone. It leaves you with the impression that the film really was made just to be a showcase for his work. Occasional comic relief from his buddies provided a witty twist, and the soundtrack was top-notch.

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. ***

GO NOW

A touching, uplifting film by the same folks that brought you the depressingly gritty TRAINSPOTTING a few years back. GO NOW is the story of Nick Cameron played by Robert Carlisle, a mason and rugby player and his girlfriend and their life together. This may sound boring, but it's a well acted and like many films from the UK, very under played and cast with real looking people. It's slow pace might annoy American viewer used to US films, but we get to know the characters in this story. I felt like I was meeting real people as opposed to cardboard characters we find in so many Hollywood flics. We first meet Nick as a very uncoordinated, `blind' rugby, (or is it soccer?) player, the victim of the coach's verbal abuse and scorn of his `mates'. A construction worker by day, he quickly finds his life making several uncomfortable turns when he loses his grip on a heavy hammer as he climbs up to his work site on a new building. With love and support from Karin his girlfriend he faces challenges no one should ever have to.

`Go Now', the old Moody Blues classic is heard throughout the film. I am a long time Moody Blues fan and GO NOW caught my attention simply by the title and the use of the song in the film. `Go Now', the song is a strange choice for a song at the film's ending. The theme of the song and the theme of the movie do not match. But the movie, in spite of its mismatched theme and title is still a good film.

However, the depiction of premarital sex and co-habitation and liberal use of the `F' and `S' words makes it inappropriate for kids.

If I were to rate it on a zero to five scale I'd give it a 2.5

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.

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.