What Goes Up (2009)

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.

Director:

Jonathan Glatzer

Writers:

Jonathan Glatzer, Robert C. Lawson (as Robert Lawson)

Stars:

Steve Coogan, Hilary Duff, Olivia Thirlby

1 win.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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 Carswell	...	Lute Lement (as Laura Konechny)
Ingrid Nilson	...	Ann
Andrea Brooks	...	Sue
Andrew Wheeler	...	Principal Person
Gabrielle Rose	...	Mrs. Bridigan
Colleen Rennison	...	Sylvia
Aubrey Mozino	...	Blythe

Storyline

What makes a hero? January, 1986. Campbell Babbitt is a reporter for the New York World, writing a series on a woman who turned the grief of losing a son into civic acts. He falls in love with her, and when she commits suicide, he continues to write made-up stories about her. His editor sends him to New Hampshire to cover the Challenger flight from the town of teacher Christa McAuliffe. The launch is postponed for a few days, giving Campbell time to get to know a group of misfit students whose own teacher killed himself the day Campbell arrives in town. He pieces the story together that led to the suicide, finds himself attracted to a student, and has to sort out his own loss.

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Plot Keywords:

suicide | reporter | new hampshire | vomiting | braless teen | 

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Taglines:

A Different Class of Misfits

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Safety Glass

Filming Locations:

Langley, British Columbia, Canada

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$3,240, 29 May 2009, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$2,050, 31 May 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Nasser Entertainment Group,Insight Film Studios,Station 3

Technical Specs

Runtime:

104 min (cut) 115 min (dvd)

Color:

Color

Did You Know?

Trivia

The film has been in production for many years. Originally Mandy Moore was cast as Lucy, Michelle Williams was cast as Tess and Peter Sarsgaard was cast as Campbell. Later, Steve Coogan was cast as Campbell and Amber Tamblyn was cast as Tess, Kelli Garner was cast as Peggy, Paul Dano was cast as Jim, Alison Pill was cast as Ann and the singer Nellie McKay was cast as Sue . In early 2008 all six 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. Josh Peck, Ingrid Nilson and Andrea Brooks were then cast in the roles of Jim, Ann and Sue respectively.

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Goofs

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.

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Quotes

Campbell Babbitt: Legends aren't born, they're written. And really that's what we all do, one way or another, when someone we love dies. And not just anyone, but someone extraordinary... Why not a hero? When they up and die, we're left with nothing. Nothing but the task to make them immortal. Only a magnificent epitaph will grant eternal life. And it's up to us, the ones left behind, to write it. However we see fit.

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Connections

References Sudden Impact (1983)

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Soundtracks

Any Other Day
Written by Hilary Duff, Jonathan Glatzer, and Robert Lawson
Performed by Hilary Duff

User Reviews

What Goes Up.....Will Keep Going Up

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!!!!!