Obsessions torrides

The folks who have trashed this excellent drama are those who saw the misleading studio hype about this film and were looking for more garbage like "American Pie". There is no schtick here, no easily recognizable stereotypes, no fart jokes for an America that has degenerated to the point where virtually everyone has the same tastes as their eight year old child. The characters are realistic, sensitive, flawed and vulnerable in a country that likes simple and macho and a story that does nothing to get in the way of their numerous bigotries.

Jeremy Davies is one of the most talented actors of his generation in a country that thinks Ben Stiller is an acting genius.

I may be in the minority here, and in fact I probably am, but I LOVED this movie. The play is amazing, and the adaptation is so true to the original that it really makes the experience enjoyable. I'd like to clear one thing up that I read earlier: it's not a "suicide" scene. It's a "cutting" scene. The two are very different, and shouldn't be confused.

At any rate, the plight of Sonny Burns, the protagonist of this film, is so easy to identify with, and the way he sees Gunner is so typical and real that this film really is refreshing and understandable. The oppressive blanket of the 1950's plays another role in this film, really as one of the more important characters. Sonny doesn't know how to deal with a lot of different things, and he isn't being told/taught how to do so by his parents or his society.

It's a sad movie, but filled with hope at the same time. It's worth seeing, and for me, is worth buying on DVD whenever it freakin' comes out. I give it a 10 and stand by that rating based on its emotional merit and strength.

i enjoyed this on a personal level. it is the story of sonny, a introverted and nervous photographer, and gunner, a inquisitive jock type. Both seem to want what the other has, but i wouldn't call it symbiotic because they genuinely enjoy each other's company. It is set in a sort of catcher in the rye(which i never liked because it didn't have a real purpose) sort of tone, of alienation and trying to find yourself when youre a middle class white bread kid in the constricted 50's. The only thing i found to dislike was the MTV style directing, which was overused (but still managed to capture a tone for the most part). I would suggest this.

==ULMER'S RENTAL REVIEW= "Going All the Way," though catchy and engaging, fails to deliver what it promises so clearly, and the incompetent script makes us forget to care about these characters. Usually a film like this one shows some character progression going on. "Going All the Way" doesn't, and it's a shame, because it had some great potential.

Pre-stardom Ben Affleck is not even enough to see this movie for. He's not that different anyway: He couldn't act and he still can't.

1.5/5 stars -

John Ulmer

Going All the Way is a great film, well, at least it was for me. For anyone who is aware of the sexual repression and confusion that can come from parents and religion should see this film. It moves slow at times, but this is more of an artistic film than a comedy so that is understandable. The underlying themes of escaping what you realize has been holding you back, searching for a point in life, and questioning one's beliefs makes this film an immidiate favorite of mine. If you're looking for a movie with typical Ben Affleck, see Dogma. If you're searching for something with some depth that is up for some interpretation, see Going All the Way.

Additionally, if you have seen this already and enjoyed it, I also reccomend The Virgin Suicides.