The Go-Getter
A grieving teenager steals a car and drifts across the American West in search of an estranged brother, finding unexpected connection along the way.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- wistful
- melancholic
- reflective evening
- quiet weekend
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film emotionally sincere and visually appealing, with strong performances and witty dialogue tempered by concerns about contrivance, mannered quirkiness, and an incomplete ending.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mercer steals a car and drives through Oregon, Nevada, and California while pursuing his absent half-brother.
The car owner Kate repeatedly calls Mercer on the cell phone left in her vehicle, becoming an empathetic conversational presence.
Mercer travels south after his mother's death because he cannot remain still with the loss and must deliver the news to his estranged brother.
The road journey is shaped by sun-dappled cinematography and expansive western landscapes contrasted with Mercer's uncertainty.
Films like The Go-Getter, and why
The Wackness
shares an offbeat coming of age journey, melancholy humor, and emotionally dislocated young protagonist
Garden State
shares a quirky independent road movie structure, youthful aimlessness, and bittersweet encounters
Little Miss Sunshine
shares intimate family grief, deadpan humor, and an episodic journey toward emotional connection
Igby Goes Down
shares a restless young protagonist, unconventional dialogue, and wistful independent road-movie atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Martin Hynes
- Release Date
- 2007-01-22
- Runtime
- 93 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (73)
Cast
- Lou Taylor Pucci
- Zooey Deschanel
- Jena Malone
- Giuseppe Andrews
- Kathleen M. Darcy
- Judy Greer
- Nick Offerman
- Brian McNamara
- Erv Immeman
- Ann Ryerson
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video
- Buy
- Amazon Video
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Go-Getter about?
- A grieving teenager steals a car and drifts across the American West in search of an estranged brother, finding unexpected connection along the way.
- What is The Go-Getter like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Go-Getter as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is The Go-Getter violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Go-Getter as mild.
- What did critics think of The Go-Getter?
- Critics broadly found the film emotionally sincere and visually appealing, with strong performances and witty dialogue tempered by concerns about contrivance, mannered quirkiness, and an incomplete ending.
- Which films are like The Go-Getter?
- Films with a similar feel include The Wackness, Garden State, Little Miss Sunshine, and Igby Goes Down.
- How long is The Go-Getter?
- The Go-Getter runs 93 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Go-Getter?
- In United States, The Go-Getter is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video.
