“Going All the Way” is a dark comedy set in 1954. It follows two young men, Sonny and Gunner, who return home from the Korean War. Both struggling to find their place in society, they embark on a wild adventure filled with booze, sex and existential crisis. Their journey is a rollercoaster ride of emotions as they navigate their way through the conservative society of Indianapolis while trying to figure out what it means to be free. This movie is a coming-of-age story that captures the ups and downs of life during tumultuous times.
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Review
As a classic coming-of-age film, “Going All the Way” evokes a sense of nostalgia and simplicity in storytelling that is rare to find in modern cinema. Adapted from Dan Wakefield’s novel of the same name, director Mark Pellington brings us back to 1954 post-war America, exploring the lives of two young men struggling to find their place in the world.
The film stars Ben Affleck as Gunner Casselman, a Korean War veteran who returns home to Indianapolis with no clear purpose or direction. His chance encounter with Sonny Burns, played by Jeremy Davies, ignites a series of events that push them both to confront their fears and desires head-on.
The movie opens with Gunner getting off a train and heading straight to his parent’s house where he struggles to reconnect with his father. Pellington expertly sets the tone for the movie right from the start. Using an array of muted colors and somber tones throughout the cinematography.
The storyline takes place during what was known as “The Silent Generation,” an era where social norms were rigidly defined and individuals were expected to conform to them without exception. Pellington masterfully handles this setting by weaving in commentary on gender roles and societal expectations as well as how they affect young men like Gunner.
Throughout this film, there are several scenes that capture this contrast between perception versus reality involving sex, relationships, and parenthood. This is especially true when we meet Sonny’s love interest Buddy (Rachel Weisz), who is seemingly perfect until we see her breakdown at home discussing her anxieties about her relationship with Sonny.
One key aspect of this film’s success is undoubtedly its exceptional acting performances across all major roles. Affleck delivers an authoritative performance in portraying Gunner’s brooding discontentment while Davies provides a more nuanced portrayal of Sonny’s vulnerability masked by sarcasm.
Furthermore, it is worth noting that “Going All the Way” scores highly both critically and amongst audiences. In particular, the film was widely praised for its use of music and how well it captured the period’s unique sound. The score includes a mix of classic tunes by the likes of Billie Holiday and Nat King Cole as well as original music composed by Tomandandy.
Despite only receiving limited theatrical release, “Going All the Way” has garnered a dedicated following over the years and is regarded as an underrated gem of its time.
Nowadays, it is common for films to be heavily reliant on special effects or grandiose action sequences to captivate audiences. However, with “Going All the Way,” Pellington proves that true storytelling doesn’t need bells and whistles – just a great script, talented actors, and a director who knows how to bring it all together.
While this may not be everyone’s cup of tea in terms of pacing or themes, there is no denying that it is a beautifully crafted film that deserves more recognition for its artistry. It’s time we recognize “Going All the Way” as a timeless classic – one that still resonates with audiences today due to its universal themes of love, loss, and yearning for something more.
Technical Data
- Release : 1997-01-19
- Runtime : 110
- Genre : Drama
- Cast : Jeremy Davies as Williard ‘Sonny’ Burns, Ben Affleck as Tom ‘Gunner’ Casselman, Amy Locane as Buddy Porter, Rose McGowan as Gale Ann Thayer, Rachel Weisz as Marty Pilcher
- Crew : Tom Rosenberg as Executive Producer, Ellen Chenoweth as Casting, Thérèse DePrez as Production Design, Richard S. Wright as Executive Producer, Sigurjón Sighvatsson as Producer
- Revenue : $86,175
- Budget : 0
- Company : Lakeshore Entertainment, PolyGram Filmed Entertainment
- Popularity : 3.652
- Summary : Korean War–era veterans and ex-classmates “Gunner” Casselman and “Sonny” Burns reunite upon their return home. Gunner, who spent the war years abroad, is trying to convince his mother that his gal Marty is good enough for him, while Sonny, who was stationed stateside, is torn between loyal Buddy and tempting Gale Ann. As they commiserate, the men realize that they’re outgrowing the lives they lived before the war.
- Tagline : In love and life there’s only one way to go.
