CHECK OUT "THE GO-GETTER" | conversantlife.com

My friend, Martin Hynes, has a smart, sexy and spiritual film opening in select theaters this weekend. I caught the captivating premiere of THE GO-GETTER at the Sundance Film Festival. It is equal parts road trip and romantic comedy with echoes of Garden State. Following his triumphant turn in Thumbsucker, Lou Taylor Pucci stars as Mercer, a young man dislocated by the death of his mother. Mercer hits the road to inform his wayward brother, Arlen. Mercer has only one thing holding him back—a lack of transportation. He “borrows” a car that contains the owner’s cell phone.

Mercer begins a soulful conversation with Kate that guides his misadventures. As Kate, Zooey Deschanel portrays a genuinely original muse.

The Americana music of M. Ward provides a rollicking soundtrack throughout Mercer’s journey. Ward literally gives Mercer the shirt off his back. Ward and Deschanel cover Richard and Linda Thompson’s classic song, “When I Get to the Border.” Zooey and M. Ward started making music together offscreen as well. The chemistry forged during The Go-Getter turned into their duets as “She & Him.” Their debut album, “Volume One,” has echoes of the dreamy power pop of Lee Hazlewood and Nancy Sinatra. It is both wistful and wonderful, filled with gauzy sounds of the sixties. Deschanel comes across as an effective songwriter backed by M. Ward’s ace musicianship. They even made a couple of lovely late night TV appearances available on YouTube.

Congrats to Martin Hynes and my fellow USC film school grads who crafted this winning film. Martin caught a bit of early celebrity by starring in the short film George Lucas in Love. It turned back the clock on the famous USC alum, allowing our generation of Trojans to appreciate our accomplished forerunner. The Go-Getter allows recent Trojans to shine. Byron Shah’s handheld cinematography is fresh and vibrant. David Birdsell’s editing is crisp and creative. And Martin Hynes turns painful aspects of his biography into a compelling and comedic movie. If you need a break from comic book stories, check out this heartfelt indie production as it unspools this weekend. Congrats Martin!