Three of my favorite actresses — Jena Malone, Zooey Deschanel and Maura Tierney — grace the screen playing their roles to the best of their talent but The Go-Getter is ultimately a let-down. It may be that Martin Hynes was too close to his script to be able to let the story shine without getting in the way, or maybe Lou Taylor Pucci is destined to be an Indie-level actor and no more. (Is that harsh?) The story drags and the predictable journey leads nowhere important. Still, I would watch the movie again to see Jena Malone high on X in her bra and panties. <…did I say that out loud?>

As pure documentary — one that represents a journalistic approach, without bias — Chicago 10 is a disappointment that overwhelms the truth of the story. As a documentary of emotion or an editorial documentary, Chicago 10 is a powerful statement about the peace movement and government strongarm-ing during the late 60s. The images and music are designed to put you in the headspace of the radical anti-war activists (with an obviously missing inclusion of drugs), but I don’t feel that a story this moving needs the propaganda tools the filmmaker employed. The landmark (in multiple ways) court case is a story that could be told on a blank stage by Abbie Hoffman with just a spotlight and most people would be intrigued, but I concede that the film’s colorful license can sweep the audience into a more empathic understanding of the moment.

Get the Flash Player to see this player.