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Plot Summary

Discover the intricate plot of Go (1999). From unexpected twists to emotional highs and lows, this detailed summary breaks down every moment to give you a deeper understanding of the film’s story.


The film unfolds in a non-linear narrative, presenting the story from four distinct perspectives. Below is a broad reconstruction of the events, though it doesn’t capture the precise sequence in which they occurred.

Ronna’s Story

On Christmas Eve in Los Angeles, actors Adam and Zack, known for their roles on a soap opera, find themselves caught in a narcotics bust. They agree to assist Officer Burke in a sting operation aimed at nab Simon, a local ecstasy dealer. However, Simon is in Las Vegas, leaving Ronna, played by Sarah Polley, a desperate 18-year-old dropout working at the grocery store, to take his place.

Recognizing an opportunity, Ronna offers to procure drugs for Adam and Zack after they express interest in buying ecstasy. Later, during a discussion with her friends Claire and Mannie about the underground drug business, Ronna decides to become a dealer, a choice she views as a one-off deal. She approaches Todd, Simon’s supplier, who is wary of her intentions. In an attempt to solidify the deal, Ronna bullies Claire into providing collateral for her dubious venture.

At the pre-rave gathering at Adam and Zack’s apartment, there’s an unmistakable sense of unease as they awkwardly interact with each other. As the deal falls apart, Ronna escapes to the restroom and flushes the drugs. To avoid capture, she cleverly informs Officer Burke of her age, creating a legal dilemma for him, which allows her to escape.

In a clampdown of desperation, Ronna shoplifts medications from her own store to substitute the drugs she failed to acquire. She crafts a plan to sell these pills as ecstasy at the rave. To her surprise, the scheme proves effective, and she earns enough money to prevent her eviction. However, Todd, having discovered the ruse, hunts Ronna down at the rave. In a tense showdown outside, she is struck by a car while fleeing, leaving her for dead in a rain-soaked ditch.

Simon’s Story

Earlier in the timeline, Simon takes off for Las Vegas with friends Marcus, Tiny, and Singh, leaving Ronna to fill in at the grocery store. While out, chaos ensues when Simon and Marcus engage in a series of misadventures, culminating in Simon’s reckless behavior at a strip club, where he draws a gun on a bouncer and desperately flees from the authorities.

Adam and Zack’s Story

Meanwhile, Adam and Zack, who are concealing their relationship, inadvertently find themselves entwined in the drug world under pressure from the police. After a bizarre Christmas dinner at Burke’s house, where unusual propositions are made, they track down their cheating partner, Jimmy, at the rave. Their revenge leads to them hitting Ronna with their car, resulting in a series of events that leave her vulnerable as they hastily escape the scene.

Conclusion

As dawn breaks, the narrative converges at the hospital where Ronna awakens, relieved that she raised enough money to cover her rent but horrified that Mannie is still hidden in the alleyway. Ronna and Claire quickly return to find him alive but in shock. With a week until New Year’s Day, they drive away, contemplating the peculiar twists of their fates and the chaotic entanglements of their lives.

Timeline

Track the key events of Go (1999) with a comprehensive timeline. Perfect for understanding the sequence of major plot points, this feature offers clarity on how the story unfolds.


Simon Heads to Las Vegas

On Christmas Eve, Simon embarks on a trip to Las Vegas with friends Marcus, Tiny, and Singh. This decision sets off a series of chaotic events that affect the lives of others involved.

Christmas Eve Las Vegas

Ronna Fills In for Simon

With Simon away, Ronna, an 18-year-old dropout, is left to fill in at the grocery store. Vulnerable and desperate, she becomes embroiled in a narcotics operation after meeting actors Adam and Zack.

Los Angeles

The Sting Operation

Adam and Zack find themselves caught in a drug bust by Officer Burke, who enlists their help in capturing Simon. As they search for Simon, they meet Ronna, who sees a chance to earn easy money.

Los Angeles

Ronna Becomes a Dealer

After discussing drugs with her friends Claire and Mannie, Ronna decides to step into the drug dealing world. She approaches Todd, Simon's supplier, to arrange a deal, showcasing her determination.

The Pre-Rave Gathering

At Adam and Zack’s apartment, tension fills the air during the pre-rave gathering. The atmosphere worsens when Ronna’s drug deal collapses, prompting her to take drastic measures.

Adam and Zack's apartment

Ronna's Clever Escape

As her drug deal falls apart, Ronna swiftly flushes the drugs down the toilet to evade capture. She cleverly informs Officer Burke of her age, creating a legal loophole that allows her to get away.

Restroom

Shoplifting Medications

In a desperate bid to find a replacement for the failed drug deal, Ronna shoplifts medications from the grocery store. She plans to sell these pills as ecstasy at the upcoming rave.

Grocery Store

Success at the Rave

Surprisingly, Ronna's plan to sell the stolen medications at the rave turns out to be a success. She makes enough money to cover her rent, bringing a moment of relief amidst the chaos.

Rave

Todd's Discovery

However, Todd uncovers Ronna's ruse and goes after her at the rave. As tensions rise, Ronna finds herself in a dangerous confrontation with him while desperately trying to escape.

Rave

Ronna's Accident

In a moment of panic, Ronna is struck by a car while trying to escape from Todd. This shocking accident leaves her gravely injured and alone in a rain-soaked ditch, highlighting the consequences of her choices.

Sidewalk

Simon’s Reckless Night

Earlier, Simon engages in reckless behavior at a strip club, culminating in him drawing a gun on a bouncer. This reckless night underscores his chaotic influence on the unfolding events.

Strip Club

Adam and Zack's Revenge

Following a bizarre dinner at Officer Burke’s house, Adam and Zack decide to confront their cheating partner, Jimmy. Their revenge leads to hitting Ronna with their car during a frantic escape.

Rave

Ronna Awakens at the Hospital

As dawn breaks, Ronna awakens in the hospital, realizing that she managed to collect enough money for her rent. However, panic strikes when she remembers her friend Mannie is still in danger.

Hospital

Finding Mannie

Ronna and Claire quickly return to the alleyway where Mannie has been hiding. They find him alive but in shock, illustrating the aftermath of the chaotic night they all experienced.

Alleyway

Driving Away to Uncertainty

With a week until New Year's Day, Ronna and Claire drive away from the alley, reflecting on the peculiar twists of their lives. The chaotic events they endured have forever changed their perspectives.

Characters

Meet the characters that bring Go (1999) to life. Dive into detailed profiles of the cast and their roles, exploring their motivations, relationships, and arcs within the story.


Ronna (Sarah Polley)

Ronna is a resourceful but desperate 18-year-old dropout caught in a world of drugs and deception. Her journey highlights her vulnerability and determination, as she navigates the perilous landscape of drug dealing while grappling with her choices and their repercussions. Ronna's character embodies resilience, but also the tragic pitfalls of youthful ambition.

🧑‍🎓 Young Adult ⚡ Desperation 🚨 Recklessness

Adam (Scott Wolf)

Adam is part of a covert relationship with Zack and finds himself entangled in the chaotic drug scene during a seemingly festive occasion. His character navigates the complexities of concealment and societal pressure, reflecting the struggles of maintaining personal relationships in a judgmental environment.

🔒 Secrecy 🏳️‍🌈 Relationships

Zack (Jay Mohr)

Zack, alongside Adam, deals with the repercussions of their secret relationship while grappling with the unexpected chaos surrounding them. His choices are formed under pressure, and his involvement in the drug world leads to dire consequences, showcasing the tension between personal desires and external expectations.

💔 Love 💥 Conflict

Setting

Uncover the settings of Go (1999), from iconic locations to the time period that shapes its world. See how these elements add depth and context to the movie’s narrative.


Time period

Christmas Eve, New Year's Day

The movie takes place during the festive season of Christmas, a time often associated with celebration and excess. The narrative extends into the days leading up to New Year's Day, emphasizing themes of desperation and consequences amidst the backdrop of holiday revelries.

Location

Los Angeles, Las Vegas

Los Angeles serves as a backdrop for much of the film, known for its vibrant nightlife and complex underbelly of party culture and drug dealing. Las Vegas, often called the Entertainment Capital of the World, provides a contrasting landscape where reckless behaviors and the pursuit of pleasure take center stage.

🌆 City 🎉 Party

Themes

Explore the core themes of Go (1999). From its commentary on social issues to its emotional undertones, delve into the deeper messages woven into the film’s story.


💊

Drug Culture

The film explores the complexities of the underground drug world, particularly focusing on young individuals navigating its treacherous paths. Ronna's journey from a desperate grocery store employee to a makeshift drug dealer highlights the allure and dangers of narcotics, underscoring the risks inherent in chasing quick financial gains.

💔

Consequences

The characters face significant consequences for their choices, particularly Ronna, whose decisions culminate in a life-threatening situation. This theme speaks to the broader moral dilemmas faced by young adults as they grapple with their identities and the fallout of their actions in a chaotic environment.

🎭

Identity

Identity plays a crucial role in the film as characters like Adam and Zack struggle with their relationship amid societal expectations. Ronna also wrestles with her self-worth and the persona she adopts as she delves into the world of drug dealing, reflecting the search for authenticity in a superficial society.

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