Don't Try and Be Polite

Last year, I saw Jeffrey Blitz's Rocket Science - a lovable, quirky indie dramedy straight from Sundance about a kid with a bad stutter who wants to win a debate tournament - and was completely blown away by it. It was my own fault for not really expecting anything from it. It was beautifully tender, funny, heartsick and moving, and I would actually nominate Reece Thompson who played the lead. I was so in love with it that I pretty much wouldn't shut up about it to everyone I came across. Why am I bringing this up?

Because I watched Martin Hynes's The Go-Getter last night, and it's pretty much this year's Rocket Science for me. Hell, maybe even stronger than that. I know right?

Basically, the plot is Mercer (Lou Taylor Pucci) decides to steal a car so he can travel almost cross-country to tell his half-brother their mom has died. The Volvo he jacked belongs to Kate (Zooey Deschanel), who calls him on her cell which was still in the car, and tells him she's not reporting it to the cops if he calls her with daily updates of his "trip" (quotation hers). It sounds a little shaky, doesn't it? It may be, I don't know. As soon as the dreamlike first shots of Mercer riding his bike played, I knew I'd be smitten with it (because it started in Oregon and the entire scene was like totally Van Sant-esque so my mind wouldn't stop screaming "PARANOID PARK!" which doesn't make sense since this was probably made BEFORE that, but w/e, I'm rambling in parentheses).

Through his episodic journey - that, naturally, turns into a metaphoric coming-of-age one - Mercer meets a lot of random characters while searching for his brother, from potheads to ex-cons to porn makers. And those guys include Maura Tierney and Judy Greer, neither of whom I knew were in this, so I like squealed in glee when they showed up. They're both awesome and memorable. Most notable in the supporting cast is Jena Malone, who plays an apparent crush of Mercer's from middle school or something - who is also a total slut who plays him like an unfortunately quick violin. Hotness. I've loved her forever, and I just managed to love her s'more.

But the film really succeeds because of it's eccentricity. It doesn't have your standard indie quirk, per se. It does follow some obvious indie conventions, especially the soundtrack, but never so much so that it's unbearable or something. Hell, it has a Band of Outsiders ripoff/homage/reference that's insanely random, but honestly, it just as cool. Hynes tells the story with such infectious, dreamy imagery that you can feel the endorphins sizzle behind your eyes as your watching. Add to that a genuinely interesting story and lovable actors, and you have what may be one of the most surprising things I've ever seen in my life.

So, I implore you all: see The Go-Getter. I have no fucking idea what on earth you'll think of it or me for recommending it. I don't care. It's a funny, adorable, romantic, honest, sexy, dreamy, awesome indie masterpiece (pretty much). SEE IT.

Zooey's always two steps ahead of me.
VD Grade: ★★★★ (out of five)