What Goes Up

I hadn't heard of this movie before I watched it but it turned out to be one of the best movies I've seen in the last few years. I can't believe no-one has told me about it. Sure, it's not neat and polished ( messy as the critics have it) but that's part of its appeal. Its fresh, off-beat, raw, dark, warm and full of heart and insight. The acting is terrific and touching throughout, particularly Steve Coogan and Hilary Duff. You really feel these people are lost and falling apart, looking for someone or something to grab hold of. And you never know where the film is going to take you. I found it enthralling and rewarding and the soundtrack is excellent too. Its one of those films you want to champion - so I did.

You're either going to love this or hate it. Steve Coogan plays a reporter goes to New Hampshire round about the time of the Challenger disaster, and hooks up with the misfit students of a college friend who recently died. Quirky comedy drama is a film that has moments but it never clicked with me. To me it was trying too hard not to be the the typical American made film. It didn't help that I never warmed to Coogan, who is an actor I either lover or hate. He is a funny man but at the same time his performances always strike me as much too mannered and structured. He never seems real. On the other end of the spectrum is Hillary Duff who is rapidly becoming one of the best actresses in film. Say what you will the girl has range and ability as this film and other films like War Inc have proved. It didn't work for me, it might for you (there is a great deal of passion at IMDb from people who feel its rated way too low). try it if the mood hits you.

I thought it was the British who did Social Realism, but this film shows that Hollywood 'gets' it too. Steve Coogan is sturdy and the other actors also very believable. I can see why some people just wont 'get' this film at all, why some will wish to be offended by the side story of Challenger, nothing I can say will help you see the parallel yet opposite story that runs through the piece. I don't often go for this genre of American drama (sorry, but I generally prefer European drama), but I do like Steve Coogan so thought I would give this film a go. Within 10 minutes I was hooked and embroiled into this little world that is so different and at times uncomfortable. I gave an 8, it would have been 9 but I was a bit confused by the newspaper cuttings Campbell Babbitt took from the pin board in Sam's flat, they were important to the story but flashed past too quickly for me to understand the relevance. I look forward to seeing it again to clear this up.

worked on it, great talent, great script, great crew. i wish that there wasn't as much ego involved with this project! it had so much potential and I have to say that steve coogan, josh peck and molly shannon were out of this world! what a pleasure. some of the local talent were fantastic as well. our two favourite misfits "the girls" you know who you are, were wonderfully quirky and adorable to say the least. production was a nightmare. local crew were treated as second class. what is with the director not thanking the local crew? not so nice my fine flying friend.

I really thought this film was made with an honesty few teen centered films usually possess. Intriguing performances and slightly surreal situations make the film well worth the watch. Coogan is delightfully flawed and the surrounding cast truly resonates. Although I was prepared to be distracted by Hilary Duff, I thought she shined brightly and held her own quite well. The truth is that most filmmakers when tackling tougher issues as ones presented in What Goes Up tend to talk down and diminish their audience while the makers of this film seem undaunted by the regular Hollywood mission of going for cheap humor and glamorized sexuality. There is a gravity here that hangs like a thick cloud over this cast and I suspect this movie will be looked upon later as having more layers than it would initially seem.

What a great movie. I think maybe the best movie of the year. Great story, great characters. It is very realistic and shows how life really is and how the American society really faces lots of problems.Hilary duff & Steve Coogan and Olivia & Josh were all so awesome! Especially Hilary Duff that greatly played her role and showed a lot of passion and maturity! U Rock Hilary Duff! Although the movie gets u a bit confused at the beginning ull understand everything at the end were everything falls into place and it all makes sense! Really Highly recommended and a must watch cause it really presents and image about life! Go Hilary Duff, Steve Coogan, Olivia, and Josh!!!!!

The new indie comedy What Goes up is somewhat amusing in its storytelling but is also too confusing for its own good. While it's all one story, it packs too much into its story. The story follows reporter Campbell Babbitt (Steve Coogan), who writes a story about a woman who lost her son to civil acts. But then she commits suicide. He then is sent to report about the Challenger Space Flight launch. There he meets a group of misfit students. He gets a lot of his information from student Tess (Olivia Thirbly). Later, when reporting the story, he falls for a student named Lucy (Hilary Duff). The Movie shows him getting to know these students. The fact that it goes between Campbell's visit to the town, and the days adding up to the Challenger Space Flight launch, but making it all one story makes the movie feel forced, and confused. As I was watching this, I felt somewhat entertained, but I also cringed in all the brain power it took to figure out just what was going on. Overall, you can skip this one, because even if you are entertained by it, it won't be worth it for the simple fact that it's so damn confusing.

The comment that is top rated among the entries submitted about this film seems to indicate that the creators, and/or the publicist, wanted to create a hype to sell the movie. This is the same tactic that is used in most media ads, in which a phrase, or two, will make the viewer run to see the picture. At the same time, an indie like "What Goes Up" needs to be enjoyed for what it is, not because that someone decided to tell us to like the picture. This is manipulation of the first order. Jonathan Glatzer and his co-writer, Robert Lawson, were obviously a bit pressed for time, or perhaps a tight budget to make this dramatic comedy a winner. Part of the problem seems to be Steve Coogan's Campbell Babbitt who is a cynic, a liar, and a character that is not likable; he shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever until the conclusion of the story. Then, there is Hillary Duff totally miscast as Lucy Diamond, a mixed up young woman who doesn't know what she wants. On the other hand, the excellent Olivia Thirlby, one of the most versatile actresses working today, has better luck with her Tess. She is appealing as the young woman facing a difficult time. It is a departure from some of the sunnier parts she has been asked to play before. Molly Shannon has some good moments as the music teacher trying to put on a show to honor astronaut Christa McAuliffe, who died in the tragic explosion of the Space Shuttle Explorer. Our own recommendation is to watch "What Goes Up" on its own merits. Just relax and be objective.

I was really struck by this film. I won't rehash the plot as that has been done on numerous posts. But I would like to address the bafflingly low rating. I admit, under normal circumstances, I'd give the film an 8 because it does suffer from inconsistencies, but thought I should do my part to up the number. I'd hate for people who might completely groove with the film's strange rhythms to be dissuaded. Thanks to the guy who put up all those great quotes from the few critics who dug the movie. It's simply a movie that not everyone's going to love -- but some definitely will. Some say this film tried too hard. I really disagree. It concentrates on the human emotions between the characters and it does this very well, with humor and without straying into melodrama. Does it crowd in a whole bunch of other details like teen pregnancy and the Challenger shuttle and even shoplifting? You bet. But it deliberately lets those topics exist on their own. They are well trodden topics which we've all seen before and the movie lets them resonate without a whole lot of effort - so it is kind of the opposite of trying too hard. The film sets a mood, it doesn't tell a sweeping story. It fools you into thinking it's ripping off Juno - but it's so different and far better. I think if your a fan of Godard who liked to break up the calcified traditions of storytelling, you will dig What Goes Up.

I first learned about this on the IMDb, when the trailer was posted on this site. One of the IMDb's greatest strengths as it pertains to their trailer postings is that, when you hover over the image, a text pop-up appears with a short synopsis of what the film is about. The title of this indie-sounding piece kinda/sorta intrigued me and, seeing as it is very easy to obtain plot distillations via these pop-ups, I hovered. What I read was, well, pretty damn unnerving. I'm VERY surprised this hasn't been broached yet, even in the forums. The second half of the saying "what goes up" is, of course, "must come down". Keep this in mind, as the chronological setting for this film is days before the Challenger disaster on January 28, 1986 and the where is the late Christa McAuliffe's teaching hometown. Maybe I'm just being overly sensitive, but given the film's date and place, the title seems rather blasphemous. Can you imagine the awful stares one would've received if nonchalantly murmuring this whimsical phrase right after the explosion? Or how about when the Hindenburg burst into flames or when the WTC towers collapsed? This is a saying reserved for helium balloons and radio controlled airplanes, not when hapless people and iconic objects are obliterated. Apparently, this was originally entitled "Safety Glass", but was changed to "What Goes Up" shortly before its release. Why? I have no idea, other than maybe shock value. What's even more perplexing is that the setting could've been practically any small town at any particular time. The Challenger disaster isn't even the focal point. It's just used as, IMO, a cheap gimmick and VERY uncomfortable reminder of when this film is suppose to occur. I dunno. Perhaps living only fifty miles from Cape Canaveral and LC 39B greatly colors my opinion. I also remember exactly where I was when the news was announced; similar to those who precisely recall where they were when Kennedy was shot. Which is a shame, because the cast does an otherwise fine job, particularly the kids playing "the shed" misfits. I'm not entirely certain I subscribe to the film's dubious message - that facts shouldn't get in the way of perception - but many of the scenes were very endearing and even a little intense. Still, I just cannot overcome the horrible title.