Reviews by Brandon Judell
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| Colin and Harmony, his girlfriend, in "Groove" | |
"Groove"
Director/Writer/Editor: Greg Harrison
Producer: Danielle Renfrew
Cast: Lola Glaudini, Hamish Linklater, Denny Kirkwood, Steve Van Wormer, Nick
Offerman, Ari Gold, DJ John Digweed
If you've never been to a rave—or if you just haven't been to a rave
today—and you're in need of a quick fix of energy, "Groove" is your cup of TNT.
This energetic little film, that debuted at Sundance, is about a group of friends putting together a dance in a deserted San Francisco warehouse. Within hours of their decision, their clientele of 200 is informed over the Internet that they better get their asses ready for action that Saturday night.
Soon the buzz is out, and the shellacked, drugged, and bewigged ravers are on their way. And no one is more raring to go than perpetual partier Colin (Denny Kirkwood), who has the Ecstasy ready and his girlfriend Harmony (Mackenzie Firgens) all attired. Now if he can only drag along his stick-in-the-mud brother David (Hamish Linklater) to the affair. Bro has to be there because Colin has an important, life-changing announcement to make at the rave.
David reluctantly agrees, and it's lucky he does because while he's tripping for the first time, he bumps into Leyla (Lola Glaudini), a streetwise gal who'll steer him to safety and more.
Well, while we're following this foursome' antics, we're thrown back and forth between the DJs, the frantic techno troupes, and the event's hosts. The force is so strong, you might even find yourself tearing off your shirt or reapplying your lipstick and joining the festivities.
Holding forth throughout this spontaneous carnival are a comic gay couple, Neil (Jeff Witzke) and Aaron (Bradley Ross), who are planning to celebrate their first anniversary together by attending the rave. But as they drive around the warehouse district in Aaron's brand new shiny black VW with a flower in its built-in vase, there's just a chance the duo might never arrive in time for the action. Will their love conquor their need to shake their booties?
Affection aside, if the boys don't make it in time, besides missing out on the fun, they'll also miss out on watching the ruggedly tattooed, open-shirted bisexual Anthony (Vince Riverside) seduce a "straight" boy with a lollipop.
Luckily, "Groove" is as seductive as Anthony. Writer/director/editor Harrison wanted to capture a scene and he does so with judicious insight and a throbbing vitality. In other words, "Groove" is a blast. [Judell]
Copyright © Brandon Judell 2000
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