Hottoceame
The Age of Commercialism
VividSimon
Simply Perfect
Loui Blair
It's a feast for the eyes. But what really makes this dramedy work is the acting.
Allguns Allguns
A nice and easy comedic drama, or dramatic comedy, with a little touch of romance, delusion and self discovery.Mercer, Lou T. Pucci's character, was well constructed. A little to cliché, but if clichés are something, they are a representation of truth that nobody likes to admit. The loner with serious self-esteem problems, no sexual experience, a crush on the hot/promiscuous young lady, a somehow platonic relation with a less promiscuous lady and at last, not at all least, the goal of a journey. Lou Pucci really got the essence of the part and the viewer falls in love with Mercer, and join literally him in the road trip through America.One of the greatest things in this movie is the journey. The way construct itself as they go, or as we go. There is this goal and that is it. Don't matter what the way or when we will get there, but we keep going until we start to come back. The next lead could send us to anywhere in the whole world and it wouldn't stop us from continue. Mercer would probably find a way to break a minor law and get away with that. On the other hand, how we hoped that the next lead was the final one, so Mercer could come back home? How much we were scared when he lost the car? How devastated we were when he lost Kate, and when he left Kate? It is fatal... When you inside someone's head, there is no way of not caring...Zooey's character for very long, as Wilson, the ball, in Robert Zemeckis' "Castaway", was some kind of bond between Mercer's mind and the public. She was at first just a beautiful voice, evolved as Mercer and ourselves evolved through the movie, acquiring a face, a body, feelings and history. Did she needed all of that to being likable? Not at all... She could be just someone who knew that the car would be back sometime, or someone who just want to know how it would end... Or just someone who didn't give a f*ck about the car! Her background history is shallow, and her motives weak... But is Zooey! And you will love Zooey... Even more after Jena Malone's Joely shows herself as a HUGE b*tch... In this movie Zooey deliver a more realistic character than you can watch in Peyton Reed's "Yes Man", Marc Webb's "500 Days of Summer" or in the TV big hit "New Girl". Her part in this movie actually reminded of her part in Adam Rapp's "Winter Passing"... Well, if you don't count the coke addiction as a key quality of her character in "Winter Passing".The music, mostly M. Ward, capture the atmosphere of the trip. A dusty and winding road, with a couple U-turns and some big rocks on the way as well some odd people and some lessons... And finally growth.To finish. I really liked the direction in the moments of parallel between reality and Mercer's thoughts or memories. Hynes made a very good work in expressing himself artistically. Many directors would not dare to use some low budget special effects, but when used to express a feeling and not just a image, you don't need groundbreaking special effects. You need a camera and feeling to know what to record.
estella2
The Go-Getter is a modern-day 'Easy Rider' with a 'Huckleberry Finn' edge. Our protagonist is an unlikely criminal. Mercer (Lou Taylor Pucci) is a shy 19 year old boy from the local Eugene, OR High School. He is a dreamer and a lost soul, with a brother whose shady past seems to have ruined his own reputation more than his. It starts out with Mercer committing grand theft auto. Little does he realize that fate has brought him to this car. Like an Alice and Wonderland picture book, this story comes across some colorful characters along the way: stoner pottery hippies, a narcissistic slut (Jena Malone), a porno director, pet shop owners doing community service in a Sgt. Pepperesque band, gay hillbillies, a black cowboy, a perverted Spanish-speaking hotel night auditor, the criminal brother, and last but not least a philosophical, hopeless romantic, heroine (played by Zooey Deschanel). This story is about finding that long-lost road companion. The soundtrack alone makes this movie worth watching (includes M.Ward, the Black Keys, Animal Collective, The Replacements, Elliott Smith) . And if that doesn't do it for you, you can think of it as a warning not to leave your keys in the car if you step out while someone fills your tank of gas!
baPhatz
This is one of the most sweet, romantic and entertaining (unlikely) love stories I have seen in years. This is a MUST see! Very highly recommended. The opening scene; main character Mercer describes how he feels stuck. He is dealing with the loss of his mother and has yet to spread her ashes. Half brother Arlen doesn't even know she died. Mercer decides to make a change in his life. Like Huckleberry Finn our "go-getter" sets out on an adventure. This road trip starts with a car. Of course stealing a car is very out of charter for Mercer and when he's contacted by the owner (cell phone left in car) he apologizes profusely and an unlikely relationship begins. She believes this situation is fate (in the end it does bring them together). Mercer is headed to Reno to find his brother but detours to find and old girl friend in Fallen. The road trip leads him through many states, detours, characters and life lessons, all the while led by a narrating series of conversations with the car owner who eventually catches up with him in Sacramento. Zooey Deschanel has a beautiful dreamy voice; her tone and her 'sweet girl next door' authenticity, is perfect for the role. I didn't know Lou Pucci before this but what a fantastic actor. The script is smart and touching and very heartfelt. The acting is sensational. Overall, this is a believable story with interesting lovable characters. A FANTASTIC indie Drama. Highly Recommended! Hope this is Helpful!
David Ferguson
Greetings again from the darkness. Saw this one at the AFI Film Fest and fully expect it to be on my top ten list at year end. This is everything I love about going to the movies ... great script, stunning photography and realistic performances all wrapped up in a straight-from-the-soul package delivered by a passionate writer-director who refused to compromise on his vision.Lou Taylor Pucci (so terrific in "Thumbsucker") stars as a 19 year old who schemes to "borrow" a car so he can track down his long-lost half brother to inform him that their mother has passed away. The road trip that follows is very funny, a little frightening and full of self-realization and oddball characters ... not the least of which is the owner of the car: a 24 year old Zooey Deschanel. The two create quite the bond during an ongoing cell phone conversation as Pucci drives her car from city to city in his brotherly search. Anyone still not fully aware of Ms. Deschanel's talents are truly deprived. She is ultra-talented and so very soulful and interesting.On the trip, Pucci tracks down his old junior high school crush played by the always-willing-to-take-a-risk Jena Malone. Writer/Director Martin Hynes admitted the role was written with Ms. Malone in mind and she was quick to commit after reading the script. Her offbeat appeal makes it easy to see how Pucci would become enamored and fall blindly for this babe that anyone's mom would prohibit her son from seeing! Another great character whom Pucci stumbles across is played wonderfully by Maura Tierney. Regrettably this story line is fairly brief, but suffice to say, you have NEVER seen a band like the one Ms. Tierney invites Pucci to join. Speaking of music, the soundtrack is excellent and compliments every scene. Much of the music is that of M Ward, who is actually the guitar player who gives Pucci the shirt off his back in the film.Supposedly the film will have wide release in August, and I will do whatever I can to ensure word-of-mouth gets this one seen by everyone I know who loves a great story and thought-provoking, funny film. On a side note, the producer of the film, Lucy Barzun, is someone I am definitely pulling for. She also produced an amazing "little" film called "Pieces of April" and has an obvious eye and love for these marvelous visions of up and coming filmmakers. We need more people like Lucy Barzun.
