What Goes Up (2009)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Jonathan Glatzer

Writers:

Jonathan Glatzer (writer)
Robert Lawson (writer)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

A Different Class of Misfits

Plot:

Set in the mid-80's when a reporter is sent to cover the Challenger Space Shuttle launch only to become mixed up in the lives of some local students.

Plot Keywords:

Suicide | Reporter | New Hampshire | 1986 | Wet T Shirt

Awards:

1 win

Cast

Steve Coogan	...	Campbell Babbitt
Hilary Duff	...	Lucy Diamond
Olivia Thirlby	...	Tess Sullivan
Josh Peck	...	Jim Lement
Molly Shannon	...	Penelope Little
Molly Price	...	Donna Arbetter
Max Hoffman	...	Fenster Itski
Sarah Lind	...	Peggy Popoladopolous
Laura Konechny	...	Lute Lement
Ingrid Nilson	...	Ann
Andrea Brooks	...	Sue
Andrew Wheeler	...	Principal Dick Person
Gabrielle Rose	...	Mrs. Bridigan
Colleen Rennison	...	Sylvia
Aubrey Mozino	...	Blythe

Also Known As:

Safety Glass (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality, language and some drug use, all involving teens.

Runtime:

USA:104 min (cut version)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Certification:

USA:R | Australia:MA

Filming Locations:

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Nasser Group

Trivia:

The film has been in production for many years. Originally Mandy Moore was cast as Lucy, Amber Tamblyn was cast as Tess, and Kelli Garner was cast as Peggy. In early 2008 all three dropped out and Amanda Seyfried was given the role of the character Peggy. She was then cast as Sophie in the film Mamma Mia! (2008) and dropped out of What Goes Up (2009) and was replaced by Sarah Lind. Hilary Duff and Olivia Thirlby were then cast in the roles of Lucy and Tess respectively.

Goofs:

Crew or equipment visible: In the scene near the very end when Steve Coogan's character Campbell is driving away you can clearly see the shoulder of someone riding in the passenger seat of the car.

Movie Connections:

References Sudden Impact (1983)

Soundtrack:

Any Other Day

"Every Action has a Reaction"

Great introduction to movies by Jonathan Glatzer, this movie told us a story that is unique and bizarre about a small town teacher who has recently died and those around him that was affected. As one of the students quotes every Action has a Reaction and that is what drives this movie forward.

Olivia Thirbly and Josh Peck give us what we have come to expect from these young rising stars, Steve Coogan and Molly Shannon did not disappoint on most accounts, however I feel as though Hilary Duff needs to attune herself more proper to these roles. She is making the right steps into a direction out of Disney and I feel this will be an experience that will help her develop her acting talents for future roles.

The premise of this movie is very interesting, it revolves around the death of Sam Calallucci a teacher of misfit students who all felt very "in love" with him because he allowed them to be themselves. This makes me wonder why they decided to change the title of the movie from "Safety Glass" to "What Goes Up" I think the latter had more commercial appeal but the first title seemed to bring out more emotion. This was a very character driven movie however some should have been touched upon a bit more such as Josh's character but a movie can only be so long before boring its audience.

All in all I enjoyed this movie, it did have some weak links in acting and minor problems in its story which could have been written tighter if that wasn't what was the aim then some things should be left for interpretation in a more fashionable way.

8/10

~XTC