Go

Director: Doug Liman

Writer: John August

Starring: Sarah Polley, Katie Holmes, Desmond Askew

Released: 1999

In the wake of Pulp Fiction, it seemed like a whole bunch of low budget/indie films were made containing several intertwining stories, shown out of chronological order. Fortunately, Go is one of the better ones.

The film centres on three supermarket workers, Ronna (Sarah Polley), Claire (Katie Holmes) and Simon (Desmond Askew). Simon is a small time drug dealer who goes on a trip to Las Vegas; in his absence, Ronna sees a chance to make some money by selling ecstasy to two actors (who, unbeknownst to her, are being forced to buy drugs as part of a police sting). Needless to say, Simon's trip to Vegas doesn't go to plan, nor does Ronna's plan to make some quick money.

Shown in four parts, the first three parts showing the story from a different character's point of view, then a final fourth part bringing all the stories together, Go is a fast, slick and funny thriller, which only occasionally gets too silly or unrealistic (see the paragrah below). Sarah Polley is excellent as the cashier desperate to make some money to pay her overdue rent, as is William Fichtner as the strange policeman forcing the two gay actors to take part in his sting operation to be let off their own drug possession charges. Timothy Olyphant is also good in a role as the drug supplier who Ronna buys her drugs from.

The weak part of the film is the story of Simon's trip to Las Vegas with some friends; it's the least interesting and funny part of the film, and leads to an unlikely conclusion involving gangsters(!). It's sillier and consequently out-of-step with the other parts of the film, and could have been left out in my opinion.

Overall, this is a fun movie. The cast is largely very good (except in the Las Vegas section), and is much better than most other Tarantino/Pulp Fiction clones.

Rating: 3/5