Going All the Way
Going All the Way is a 1997 American comedy-drama film directed by Mark Pellington, in his feature film directorial debut. The film was written by Dan Wakefield, based on his 1970 novel and stars Jeremy Davies, Ben Affleck, Amy Locane, Rachel Weisz and Rose McGowan.
Plot
Two young men, Sonny Burns and Gunner Casselman, return home to Indianapolis after serving time in the US Army's 7th Infantry Division during the Korean Warthe quiet Sonny as a private from a Public Information posting in Kansas City, the confident Gunner as a highly decorated corporal from the Korea combat zone. Back in civilian life, they search for love and fulfillment in middle America during the conservative 1950s.Cast
In addition, Dan Wakefield, the film's screenwriter, has a brief cameo as an unnamed farmer at a church service.Production notes
The film was shot on location in Indianapolis, Indiana, the setting of Dan Wakefield's semi-autobiographical novel of the same name.This marked the film debut of Nick Offerman.
The film premiered at the 1997 Sundance Film Festival; Rose McGowan, who attended to promote the film, has alleged that Harvey Weinstein raped her while at the festival that year.
Soundtrack
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack was released on Verve Records in September 1997 including the song "Tangled and Tempted", co-written for the film by Indianapolis singer/songwriter/producer Tim Brickley.Reception
Box office
The filmwhich received a limited theatrical release, peaking with 17 theatresgrossed $113,069 at the domestic box office.Critical response
of The New York Times did not care for the film, especially Pellington's direction:"When a filmmaker feels compelled to pump up a story through caricature and expressionistic visual tricks, it's usually a sign of distrust in the inherent drama of the material. In Going All the Way, a flashy movie adaptation of Dan Wakefield's popular 1970 novel about growing up in the heartland in the repressed 1950s, Mark Pellington, a director from the world of music video, has inflated a realistic memoir into a garish, hyperkinetic social satire."
Roger Ebert of The Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 3 out of 4 stars, and called it "a deeper, cleverer film than it first seems. Much of its strength depends on the imploding performance of Jeremy Davies."