Go (1999) - S11 E85

Are you ready to GO all-in? This week on Shoot the Hostage our drugs season takes a detour intro the fast-paced, vibrant world of Doug Liman’s 1999 cult hit, Go – our third foray into the wild world of cinematic substances.

This film boasts arguably the most aggressively late 90s cast ever, functioning as a true ensemble piece even if some weren't A-listers at the time. We get into the raw talent of Sarah Polley as Ronna, a young adult making some truly stupid decisions over one wild night. We also delve into the magnetic Taye Diggs who improves the second act by at least 35% and the sheer chaos of Breckin Meyer.  

We talk about Go's incredible soundtrack with artists like Fatboy Slim, Steppenwolf, Massive Attack, and No Doubt. Despite Doug Liman's initial unfamiliarity with rave culture, the film's fast-paced energy and quick cutting brilliantly capture the hedonism of the time, without ever feeling preachy. The movie is infused with drugs, particularly ecstasy (or "X," which becomes a fun running visual motif throughout, and we unpack how the film blends crime thriller elements with ridiculous comedy.

Here's some other things we explore in the episode:

• Doug Liman's directing style and other films from his career.
• The use of Melissa McCarthy and Confederated Products in other John August scripts
• The 90s ensemble cast, including Timothy Olyphant and Katie Holmes
• The film's unique title, its possible meaning and the difficulty of searching for it online
• The style influenced by Tarantino, Kevin Smith, and Kevin Williamson.
• The script's try-hard moments versus its enduring humour.

Season 11 runs until August 11th with 8 episodes

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