Go for It!

Movie review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Go for It! Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Dance drama has rhythm but fails to inspire.

PG-13 2011 105 minutes
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Parents say

age 15+

Based on 2 reviews

Kids say

age 14+

Based on 4 reviews

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A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this movie.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this drama about a troubled Latina who turns to dance as a way of finding direction in her life has positive messages about self-confidence and education, but they're sometimes overshadowed by family dysfunction and poor choices. Expect some strong language (including "s--t," "f--k," and Spanish curses), sexual imagery (though no nudity), arguments, and physical violence (including murder), drinking, and some drug use. The immigrant experience and racism are also briefly discussed.

Community Reviews

Filmreviews.org
Filmreviews.org Adult
November 11, 2019
age 14+
chicagoshowbiz
chicagoshowbiz Adult
May 25, 2011
age 15+

Go For It the movie and the Critic that never was!

I don't know what movie you went to see? But the movie I saw did not have Cussing, acid drug use, underage drinking and I don't know where there was any reference to "PISS". Sounds to me like the critic here was on acid and was involved in the drinking and in a pissy mood. This film relates to a very real problem in society. If the the truth is too much to bear in a movie then I suppose you are better off seeing fiction or Disney. In viewing this film I would honestly have to say that it does cover quite a bit of societies ills and does so in a very realistic and subtle way. Yes there is a scene with sexual innuendo, but much like the classic movie SCAR FACE when tony Montana's brother gets the arm chain sawed off you never see it happen yet people swear they saw it and experience the terror of it. Not to say Scar Face and Go For It have anything in common regarding the stories and messages. Yet the shooting style which allows the discomfort of watching the scene and no actual nudity is a trick within itself. This was done in a very professional manner. What you have never heard of teenage pregnancy? Oh, my that does not happen in your neighborhood? This critic lives in La La Land! This film addresses any of societies problems and was creatively bundled up into one great film. It's people like the critic for Common sense media who like to bash films with a story line and have the valor to confront society with a mirror. I recommend this film to every one. It is not the recycled story the Critic Ms. Camacho would like for you to believe. It is a movie about social plagues that we are too familiar with, which includes everything you read about, see in the news and talk about behind closed doors. Does this make it a remake? No, it makes it an original film that touches on subjects that effect our every day lives. The credibility of this Critic and the Common Sense Media group is now compromised for me. If you see the film you will see that the overshadowing was done by the words of the critic not the storyline. What world do you live in Ms. Camacho? Go see the whole movie (sober) before writing about it, hopefully then you can remember what you saw in the film!.

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Carmen Salgado (Aimee Garcia) is a troubled Latina junior college student with a bad attitude and a passion for hip-hop dance. She spends her days juggling school work, a job at a local bodega, practicing with a local dance crew, and hanging out at local underground dance clubs with her best friend Gina (Gina Rodriguez) and dance crew leader Loli (Jossara Jinaro). Despite her desire for some direction in her life, Carmen's insecurity keeps her from following teacher Frank Marin's (Al Bandiero) advice to apply to a California arts college and contributes to her being distracted by her non-Latino boyfriend, Jared (Derrick Denicola). She also struggles with the traditional family dynamics that guide her working-class immigrant family, including her parents (Gustavo Mellado and Liliana Montenegro), adult brothers Jesse (Andres Perez-Molina) and Pablo (Louie Alegria), and little sister Cecy (Safia Hannin). But in the end, she realizes that she needs to find the inner strength to go after her dream.

Is It Any Good?

GO FOR IT! tells an all-too-familiar tale about a young woman turning to dance as a way of overcoming economic and social limitations. It's a positive message, but thanks to some underdeveloped plot lines, viewers aren't given the opportunity to get to know and be motivated by the movie's characters. Meanwhile, the film's dance sequences, which are mostly choreographed battles between female crews, are both limited and over-edited.

Teen audiences may identify with some of Carmen's struggles, particularly when it comes to finding the courage to reach for a dream. Some will also be able to identify with her family's struggle with the competing cultural values that often define the Latino experience and appreciate the context of the movie's messages about inner strength and the importance of getting an education. But overall, the film fails to exude enough positive energy and excitement to promote its messages in a way that's both gratifying and inspirational.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the movie's messages. Are they strong enough to come through despite the sometimes-iffy content? How do they compare to the messages in other dance-centric dramas you've seen?

  • What are some of the ways that the film addresses stereotypes? How do these stereotypes factor into the way that Carmen feels about herself and about the way she looks at the world? What about the way the world sees her?

  • Why do you think Carmen is often defensive and disrespectful? Why do you think Mr. Marin is interested in helping her?

Movie Details

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