Doug Liman's 1999 film Go, a crime caper heavily influenced by the success of Quentin Tarantino's earlier work, is now available on Netflix, offering a chance to rediscover a cult favorite. The film, which weaves together the stories of several disparate characters around Christmastime in Los Angeles, was released at a difficult time, overshadowed by the debut of The Matrix.
Go is structured as an anthology film in three parts, drawing inspiration from Pulp Fiction and Jim Jarmusch's Mystery Train. The narrative centers on Ronna (Sarah Polley), a supermarket employee facing eviction who decides to sell drugs to unsuspecting customers. Her actions intersect with Adam and Zack (Scott Wolf and Jay Mohr), two soap opera actors attempting to entrap their dealer as part of a plea deal. The third thread follows Simon (Desmond Askew), Ronna's co-worker and the actors' ecstasy dealer, who finds himself on a chaotic road trip to Las Vegas pursued by vengeful strip club bouncers. All these storylines converge over a single night in Los Angeles, entangled by an all-night rave and the escalating consequences of their actions.
The film is characterized by its low-stakes scenarios, high-velocity pacing, and consistent execution despite its complex structure. Critics have noted its solid dialogue, breakneck speed, and a series of standout performances from actors who were relatively unknown at the time. Go features early roles from Timothy Olyphant as a drug dealer, Melissa McCarthy, and Jane Krakowski, alongside Katie Holmes during her Dawson's Creek fame, Breckin Meyer, and Taye Diggs, who delivers a memorable performance.
Released in April 1999, Go struggled to gain traction in theaters immediately following the release of The Matrix, which dominated the cultural conversation. While it garnered decent reviews and some box office returns, its impact was significantly diminished by the science fiction blockbuster. Looking back, Go is seen by some as marking the end of an era for quirky crime films, a genre that was largely supplanted in the 2000s by the rise of techno-thrillers and stylized action, exemplified by films like Blade and The Matrix, and even Tarantino's later work such as Kill Bill. The film's blend of dark humor, memorable dialogue, and early performances from a cast of future stars makes it a notable entry in the post-Pulp Fiction crime movie landscape.
