Going All the Way

There were two things that shocked me about this mostly average film. First, Jeremy Davies gives almost the exact same performance as he gave in Saving Private Ryan, the tics, the mannerisms, the speech patterns, it's all there. Second, his character, an awkward, nerdy photographer home from WWII bags both Amy Locane AND Rose McGowan! Huh? Unbelievable but true.

As to the film itself, my main problem with it lay with the friendship at the center. Why does Ben Affleck's character, an outgoing, popular vet also returning from WWII, want to hang out with Davies' character when they are clearly opposites? It's never explained. Also lacking is the plot. There is none. The film simply follows those two characters around on their various exploits but there's never any kind of narrative driving the "story" from scene to scene.

All in all, the film is interesting only to see some early work by actors who have gone on to become more popular today - Affleck, Davies and McGowan.

This tale of two Korean War Vets and their return home to Indianapolis is apparently supposed to be a harsh critique of mainstream American life in the 1950s. As the two young men try to find a deeper meaning to life and to do what makes them truly happy, they are constantly confronted by the heavy hand of conformity. They want to be unique individuals, but everywhere they turn, they are pressured to be "normal", to not date Jewish girls, to join a Protestant church, to take a desk job with a respectable business.

The problem with this movie it that it greatly overplays its hand. The church figures, anti-Communist activists, and stereotypical Midwestern parents that it so harshly criticizes are unbelievable caricatures. The result is that instead of successfully nailing its intended targets, the film plays out almost like a right-wing parody of a left-wing attack on Middle America. It therefore fails mechanically. However, strictly as a piece of entertainment, it certainly has its moments. And the anti-conformity message, which I agree with, isn't completely ruined by the overdone writing and acting. Bottom line: the movie doesn't work, but you may still find watching it an okay way to spend an hour and a half.

In 1954, two 24 years-old men return to Indianapolis after the Korean War (Jeremy Davies and Ben Affleck). It turns out they went to the same school, but frail Sonny was a shy writer for the school paper whereas studly Gunner was popular. They form a lasting bond as they drink and chase women (Amy Locane, Rachel Weisz and Rose McGowan).

"Going All the Way" (1997) is a drama based on Dan Wakefield's 1970 somewhat autobiographical novel about facing the challenges of adulthood in the early 50s; he also wrote the screenplay. This happened to be director Mark Pellington's feature film debut, who would go on to helm "The Mothman Prophecies" five years later.

Naturally, the focus is on Sonny (Davies) and his coming-of-age in his early 20s. As such, there are some adult-oriented topics, which can be cringe-inducing, often illustrated with a creative sense of humor. I'm talking about subjects like masturbation and performance anxiety. To be expected, there are also scenes involving tame nudity and sexual intercourse (just a heads up).

Three main themes are tackled. First is the friendship of Sonny and Gunner, which is akin to Barney Rubble and Fred Flintstone. For instance, the best man at my wedding would be my "Barney." There's something about these types of friendships that profoundly inspire both individuals and so they are lasting in nature.

Secondly, there's the issue of sterile legalism, the religious variety, which actually isn't genuine Christianity, but rather a lifeless counterfeit with a garnishment of Christian décor. This is what drives Sonny to atheism in the movie and Wakefield in real life. Sadly, no positive depiction of a believer is offered as a counterbalance, which was effectively (and wisely) done in movies like "The Mist" and "The River Murders."

In regard to the 'm' word issue, Genesis 38:8-10 is wrongly cited since Onan's offense had nothing to do with masturbation, but rather his refusal to fulfill his Hebraic duty in perpetuating his brother's line of descendants. This common error actually fits in the movie because legalistic religionists are infamous for misapplying Scripture.

Thirdly, the title of the film (and the book) isn't a reference to the sexual usage of the phrase, but rather Sonny's "going all the way" to break free from the constraints of religious legalism and becoming an atheist, as well as doing whatever was necessary to become a 'successful' writer.

Interestingly, the proceedings are pumped up with caricature and expressionistic visual tricks, which I found amusingly creative whereas others have disparaged. Whatever the case, it does create an issue for the viewer as far as discerning what's real and what's not.

As far as the female cast goes, Amy Locane as Sonny's neighborhood girlfriend doesn't fit the role because she's just as beautiful in her own way as the dream girl he eventually meets (Rose McGowan). Speaking of McGowan, she's in her dazzling prime here and never looked better. Weisz is notable in her ultra-cute way as well.

Some have criticized that the song during the opening credits came out in 1957 whereas the story is set in 1954, which they argue is anachronistic. Actually, it's not. After all, who says that the score or soundtrack must fit the EXACT timeframe of the events in a film? For instance, Ennio Morricone's score for "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" is an iconic masterpiece, but no such music was released during the Civil War's New Mexico Campaign of 1862. The song picked for the opening credits here was used simply to establish the general timeframe of the mid-50s. Only if this song had played on the radio in a particular scene would it be anachronistic.

At the end of the day, this movie can be appreciated as an amusing psychological study of ONE PERSON's experiences becoming an adult in mid-50s' America. It shouldn't be viewed as an ideological manifesto.

It runs 1 hour, 43 minutes, and was shot in Indianapolis.

GRADE: B-

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.

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.