Go Further

Caught this at the Chicago film festival and loved it so much that I saw it twice. This journal about an enlightening road trip has so many wonderful moments that even if you don't agree with its principles, you will still have a good time. I discovered some life-changing tips, which hardly even happens at the movies. But don't go for the message, go for the good time. Great musical interludes too!

Following the path of Ken Kesey in his Merry Pranksters trek in the 60s, Go Further, a Canadian documentary by activist Ron Mann (Grass) follows actor Woody Harrelson and his friends as they travel on a bio-fuelled touring bus on a "Simple Organic Living" tour. The Seattle to Los Angeles tour stops at college campuses along the way to speak about alternatives to environmentally damaging practices and the need for conversion to organic food consumption. The group of travelers includes a yoga teacher, a raw food chef, a college student, and a production assistant on the television show Will and Grace. The assistant, Steve Clark, begins the journey as a junk food addict but, assisted by a hastily devised love interest, converts to an organic diet by the end of the trip.

Accompanied by a splendid soundtrack that features eco-minded musicians such as Bob Weir, Michael Franti, Nathalie Merchant, String Cheese Incident, and Dave Matthews, Harrelson pays homage to the sixties, stopping off to meet Ken Kesey shortly before the author's death in 2001. Along the way, the tour encounters some hostility, especially in logging towns but they also meet like-minded people who are doing their part to protect the environment. For example, we meet a man who runs a paper company that doesn't require cutting down trees, an organic farmer who regards nature as his partner, and a lecturer who urges his students to use humor as a strategy for confrontation.

While I certainly support the idea of curbing environmental abuse and wholeheartedly endorse the notion that each individual can make a difference, Go Further falls far short of making a convincing case. Ideas are thrown out in sound bites that are never challenged or fully explored and the film speaks only to the already converted. Woody rails against Bovine Growth Hormone and claims that there is blood and pus in the milk we drink but ignores the more serious fact that BGH is banned in Canada because of suspected links to cancer, diabetes, and immune system problems. The film is well intentioned and funny in parts but is basically a superficial sideshow that is a sitting duck for ridicule from those opposed to its ideas. While there is definitely a need for a hard-hitting investigative documentary into environmentally unsound policies, Go Further, unfortunately, is not it.

This movie is a breath of fresh air. It is intelligent and through-provoking as well as fun to watch with several humorous scenes and remarks. When watching it you feel like one of the guys or you at least long to "Get on the bus!" with them. It's not everyday when you get to see a movie that is like this... it's about the seriousness of reality and it packs a punch for those who are unaware of the detrimental state... but it doesn't leave one with a hopeless feeling. It's inspiring. It needs to be seen and shared with everyone... family and friends. Don't miss out on this one. Take a chance on a new compassionate perspective for our future. You'll be glad you saw it.

Ron Mann (Grass) documents Woody Harrelson and a group of his Hippy friends and Activists on their journey across California, on bikes and in their 60's inspired hemp-oil fueled "spirit bus", to promote environmentalism, biofuel, organic farming, veganism, hemp & marijuana, yoga and showing how a small group of people can make an inspirational difference when it comes to changing minds and countering the destructive habits that humanity has come to develop.

I'll end with one of my favourite quotes, from Jung: "Our rationalistic attitude leads us to believe we can work wonders with international organizations, legislation, and other well-meant devices. But in reality only a change in the attitude of the individual can bring about a renewal in the spirit of nations. Everything begins with the individual."

I'm all for the promotion of healthy organic living and seeking out sustainable alternatives, however I found this flick to be totally clichéd.

Woody gathers together a band of merry makers including a raw food chef, yoga teacher and a lawyer for activists and embarks on a bike riding/biofuelled bus trip down the coast. None of his team was really introduced properly, or seemed to have anything relevant to say, and I found myself cringing at the "hippie" stereotypes -- sensationalist fear mongering and pot smoking in the back seat of the bus (I mean, I'm no doctor, but occasionally enjoying baked food isn't going to do something horrid to your pancreas, as suggested by the raw food chef - and not all diary contains blood and pus - the USA is one of a few countries that has approved the use of bovine growth hormone)

There are a myriad of intelligent and scientific arguments for switching to an organic lifestyle, none of which were presented in this film, which instead focused on the "vibe" with shots of the gang holding hands, dancing naked on the beach, completing a yogic sun salutation and the odd piece of footage of a clear cut forest or extinct animal.

Included in the party is some random guy that seems to be shocked by the revelation that twinkies are not a health food, and makes pathetic attempts at humour (say no to corn dogs... etc).

If you're after something that has something political to say, is intelligent, well researched AND entertaining - GO TO ANOTHER DOCO.

I suggest The Fog of War, The Corporation or Supersize Me instead :)