Advanced Search Beta »
Basic Search Fields
The Go-Getter
Metascore
69 out of 100

Generally favorable reviews - based on 12 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 8 out of 12
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 12
  3. Negative: 0 out of 12
view
per page
  1. Rolling Stone
    Reviewed by: Peter Travers
    88
    Director-writer Martin Hynes shapes his first movie into something emotionally truthful, painfully funny and vibrantly alive. It's a near-perfect road movie, since you don't want the ride to end.
  2. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Elizabeth Weitzman
    80
    The sort of discovery meant to be savored by the few who find it, The Go-Getter was made for anyone who ever felt stuck, or alone, or desperate to find their place in the world.
  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: David Edelstein
    80
    This one is alive with discoveries--of locations, characters, the actors who embody them, and even the medium. In The Go-Getter, filmmaking itself feels like Manifest Destiny.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Todd McCarthy
    80
    An unusually fresh-feeling indie with a nice sense of style. The potentially predictable story of a young man who undertakes an impromptu journey to resolve some unfinished family business emerges as an appealing tale of personal growth with hand-crafted contours.
  5. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    75
    The enchanting voice on the phone, who delightfully shows up in person halfway through, belongs to Zooey Deschanel. In real life, she hooked up with the composer of the lively score, M. Ward, to create the pop duo She & Him.
  6. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Aaron Hillis
    70
    Modestly rewards with gorgeous sun-spotted cinematography, tender digressions in rather brave quantities, and believably charming dialogue that doesn't all sound like it came from the same brain (listen up, Diablo Cody).
  7. The New York Times
    Reviewed by: Stephen Holden
    70
    Mr. Hynes, who wrote the screenplay, seems well aware of the challenge of breathing fresh life into a familiar formula. Much of the dialogue is so quirky it sounds overheard instead of scripted. The performances are correspondingly spontaneous.
  8. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Maitland McDonagh
    63
    A cute, slight tale.
  9. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Carina Chocano
    60
    There are moments of beauty here, but not enough to make up for the mannered dialogue and hamstrung performances. Persons attempting to find a motive in this narrative won't be prosecuted, but they'll probably be disappointed.
  10. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Frank Scheck
    50
    The sort of quirky independent comedy that strives for hipness but ultimately just feels contrived and derivative.
  11. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Rick Groen
    50
    This is a fairly well-made picture that's just been fairly well-made too many times before, a knock-off of a thousand other knock-offs.
  12. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    50
    The Go-Getter travels, but it doesn't go anywhere.
prev next
Page:
  • 1

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.6 out of 10

Universal acclaim- based on 7 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 3
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 3
  3. Negative: 0 out of 3
  1. Polybius
    7
    There may be a lack of chemistry between Pucci and Deschannel, but Haynes' direction, Byron Shah's cinematography and M. Ward's music make up for most of its flaws.… Full Review »
  2. AsherZ
    9
    A real surprise. I just watched this on snowtime. Excellent camera work and lighting; music is great and the acting is incredibly realistic, really good conversations through out the film and lots of funny situations.… Full Review »
  3. JayH
    5
    I clearly differ than many on this movie, but it bored me. I have little patience for pretentious indie films. Jena Malone is always good to see, the rest of the cast was not very memorable. Too talky and the characters lack depth.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »