Don't Make Me Go

Teary movie that really throws a curve ball. Great road trip between daughter and father... except for the final drive...still waiting for him to see the meteor shower...and the frontal nudity...what's the big deal.?

As "Don't Make Me Go" (2022 release; 109 min.) opens, we are in "California" and are introduced to Max Park, a single dad, and Wally, his 16 yo daughter. Max gets bad news: he is diagnosed with a fatal bone tumor. When his 20 year college reunion is coming up in New Orleans, where Wally's long absent mother will be, Max decides to take Wally on a good ol' fashioned road trip. Wally, who doesn't know about the tumor, reluctantly agrees...

Couple of comments: this is the latest film from actress-turned-director Hannah Marks ("Mark, Mary + Some Other People"), who is still not even 30 yo. Here she brings a road movie of a father struggling to connect with his 16 yo daughter, and in a race against time to right the relationship before it's too late. In and of itself, this could make for an interesting relationship drama, but alas, the script turns out to be quite weak and, worse, riddled with cliches. As a result, I failed to connect emotionally with either of the two lead characters. John Cho (as Max) and Mia Isaac (as Wally) do the best they can but it's simply not enough. Please note that the vast majority of the movie was filmed in New Zealand (Auckland, Christchurch), and indeed the exteriors are quite easy on the eye. But alas, it can't save the movie.

"Don't Make Me Go" premiered on Amazon Prime this past Friday. I had read some good things about this film, and hence was looking forward to this. Let's just say that I was quite disappointed (even though i did stick it out to the end). Of course don't take my words for it, so if you are in the mood for a rad movie featuring a father-daughter relationship 'drama', I'd readily suggest you check this out, and draw your own conclusion.

Watching this just sad and sad keep going but end up some happy ending I assume. That's quite a real life situation that so many things are unpredicted and we can't control. The message of this drama is quite clear - Live at the moment and hold tight for your loved ones. U never know what will happen tomorrow. The acting skills of both father and daughter are quite good. For a teen actress, I can see her potential and hope more chance to see her act in the future. The planning not go to the way it suppose to make me impress about this movie, thought it would be some chicle ending but surprise at the end. Writer did a good job.

Ugh i was not prepared to cry the way I did for this film, it had its ups and downs and the entire time I was getting so much anxiety, but it ended with a deep meaning; to try your best even if its a small 20% chance of success!!! Overall great flick.

First time I've ever cried watching a movie, and I don't even have children but I could still relate. Me and my girl cried like waterfalls. I really recommend this one and the acting is excellent.