Talented young director Hannah Marks has delivered a moving 3rd feature film, DON’T MAKE ME GO. The movie follows Max and his daughter Wally on a cross-country road trip of discovery and truth. Here is my full review of the film.
When single father Max (John Cho) discovers he has a terminal disease, he decides to try and cram all the years of love and support he will miss with his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) into the time he has left with her. With the promise of long-awaited driving lessons, he convinces Wally to accompany him on a road trip from California to New Orleans for his 20th college reunion, where he secretly hopes to reunite her with her mother who left them long ago.
The film marks the first feature that Hannah didn’t pen herself and for writer Vera Herbert it’s her first feature film script made. The film is told through Wally’s narration and allows Mia Isaac to really shine in her FIRST feature lead role. Add in the lovable John Cho, playing easily one of his most adult characters, and this is one of the year’s more heartfelt summer drops. The reluctant road trip theme isn’t new but the diversity of casting and tremendous chemistry of Cho and Isaac stands out. The film does hold a heartbreaking twist that transforms the basic premise into something much more moving. Kaya Scodelario as Annie and Josh Thomson as Guy each have wonderful moments and add depth to the plot.
Hannah’s direction is amplified by cinematographer Jaron Presant and editor Paul Frank’s added touches in capturing the beauty of a cross-country road film. The vastness of Texas was awesomely captured and mixed so well with the funky feeling of New Orleans. Overall the time and effort taken to highlight and showcase the road trip elements helped masked the gut punch of an emotional journey that unfolds.
The film is not only a great showcase of two actors (Cho and Isaac) really connecting on screen but highlights a young filmmaker ready to tackle more!
The film is now available on Amazon Prime.
Directed by: Hannah Marks
Written By: Vera Herbert
Rated: R
Selig Rating: 4 Stars
Running Time: 1h 49min
Drama
On Amazon Prime starting 7/15.
Starring: John Cho, Mia Isaac, Kaya Scodelario, Josh Thomson and Jemaine Clement
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie, well worth the price.
4 Stars – Good movie
3 Stars – OK movie
2 Stars – No need to rush. Save it for a rainy day.
1 Star – Good that I saw it on the big screen but wish I hadn’t paid for it.
