Go Further (2003)

This isn't a bad film by any means, in fact, it's a pretty entertaining little flick. Unfortunately, it's unlikely to win over any converts to the environmental cause due to its somewhat goofy tone and unfocused, scattered narrative. Consequently, it's never quite able to really drive its point home, whatever that point may be beyond "go green". Basically, it's preaching to the converted.On the positive side, this film makes for pretty entertaining viewing for the most part. I particularly enjoyed the musical interludes with various artists such as Bob Weir, String Cheese Incident etc. It was also a treat to see Ken Kesey in his natural habitat. I appreciated the passion and dedication of the participants to their cause, and their road trip made for pretty fun viewing for the most part.On the negative side, I couldn't stand the annoying, goofy Steve guy, he was a pure-bred idiot. Watching his foolish antics was embarrassing, and I'm not sure why this nut with a severe charisma deficit was given so much screen time. In any event, if you can put up with his antics then you'll be able to sit through this movie with a minimum of annoyance.

This movie was pretty good ... I have a few pointers for those who have not watched it yet. It's probably a good idea to keep children out of the room when watching this.. there are some scenes with drugs and nudity .. but the movie is overall very very funny... a little cheesy in parts tho. Watch out for the hippie song!. Especially if you are watching this in a classroom as I did. It's just so hard not to laugh.. because they are SUCH HIPPIES ! overall, this film had some very interesting points. it is definitely an eye-opener for those who just don't see nature in it's beauty, it's entirety. oh well .. all i can say is that I enjoyed this movie very much .. probably just because it has Woody in it.. and don't we all love woody ??

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.

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!