Rating summary

Movie		4.0
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		5.0
Overall		4.5

Go Fish Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf December 8, 2024

The 1994 Sundance Film Festival presented a slew of influential movies, and one of the more famous ones remains “Go Fish.” Pushing to make something respectful and lively about lesbian culture, co-writers Guinevere Turner and Rose Troche (who also directs) go the ultra-indie route, preserving their voice in this low-budget understanding of life and love for a group of women trying to navigate relationships. It’s fitting that the offering shared the spotlight at Sundance with Kevin Smith’s “Clerks,” as the features are somewhat similar in look and language, but Troche goes for a sensitive and honest depiction of character needs, delivering a distinct study of community and concern, and doing so with some sense of style and humor to keep the endeavor as cinematic as possible.

Max (Guinevere Turner) is young and looking for love, watching as her roommate, Kia (T. Wendy McMillan) enjoys a relationship with her lover, Evy (Migdalia Melendez). Max finds support and conversation with an assortment of friends, observing as Daria (Anastasia Sharp) carries on with multiple girlfriends, and she finds veterinarian assistant Ely (V.S. Brodie) appealing. Max makes her move on Ely, learning more about her relationships situation, battling her own neuroses and doubts as she attempts to find a partner while surrounded by others making it look easy.

Max is frustrated. She furiously writes down her thoughts in a journal, trying to purge emotional energy as she’s gone ten months without sex, living with Kia, who seems to be having intimate relationships all the time. “Go Fish” keeps Max as the main character in the story, but there’s more of an ensemble vibe to the endeavor, following the young, loveless woman into her community of lesbians, striving to make sense of her issues and monitor her options. Troche and Turner invest in conversations, as most of “Go Fish” is devoted to lengthy dialogue exchanges that explore friendships and flirting, getting to understand these personalities as they manage potential partners and deal with exes.

“Go Fish” gets as close as possible to a plot via Max and her infatuation with Ely, trying to make sense of their connection, which is blocked by previous commitments. It’s an acceptable arc, but Troche doesn’t show that much interest in storytelling, going more for The Hang around these people, who absorb small tests of patience and wrestle with labels and identity. Daria is especially enigmatic, even sleeping with a man during her carnal adventures, triggering condemnation from her social circle. “Go Fish” exists in small moments between the characters, keeping up with Max as she tries to make sense of it all.

Go Fish Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.33:1 aspect ratio) presentation is listed as a "New, director approved 4K restoration from the original 16mm A/B rolls." "Go Fish" is not a visual feast, but its low-budget charms are nicely preserved here, securing as much detail as possible, exploring the faces and places that make up this world. Skin particulars are appealing, along with fibrous clothing choices. Interior decoration is also open for study. B&W cinematography is balanced, offering deep blacks. Grain is heavy but film-like. Source is in good condition.

Go Fish Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix offers a crisp understanding of dialogue exchanges, keeping up with performance choices and snappy conversations. Musical selections support with clarity, maintaining defined instrumentation. Vocals are distinct.

Go Fish Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Booklet (40 pages) contains essays by Jourdain Searles, Kyle Turner, and Jenni Olson.

• Commentary #1 features co-writer/director Rose Troche.

• Commentary #2 features film historian Elizabeth Purchell and writer Shayna Maci Warner.

• "Slice of Life" (22:29, HD) is an interview with co-writer Guinevere Turner, who found filmmaking inspiration from 1991's "Switch," setting out to "make something gay," trying to add more realistic on-screen representation. Setting out to create a short film, Turner and co- writer Rose Troche ended up with a feature-length project, going "inch by inch" for two years of production, with Turner committing in full, not always sure what she was doing. Casting is analyzed and Sundance Film Festival dreams are recalled, as "Go Fish" ended up in a bidding war in 1994. The interviewee reflects on the themes of the film and its lasting appeal, remaining relevant today. Turner discusses her relationship with Roche, handling a break-up midway through the shoot, changing the tone of their collaboration as hostilities arrived. She also shares stories from the promotional tour for the film, facing journalists asking invasive questions while desperate to handle her endless days alongside Troche.

• "By, For & About" (18:40, HD) is an interview with co-writer/director Rose Troche, who examines her years at film school in Illinois, planning a career in experimental film. Exploring the ways of storytelling, Troche found her path to "Go Fish," meeting Guinevere Turner, embarking on a relationship and an artistic collaboration. A film "born out of activism," the making of "Go Fish" is examined, detailing work in casting and cinematography, revealing that a color portion of the picture was eventually deleted from the feature. The interviewee goes in-depth on the longevity of the movie, surprised by its journey and continued relevance. The conversation closes with an overview of the restoration, as Troche went through the effort in full to find the best possible presentation.

• "A Love Story" (10:12, HD) is a video conference interview with actress V.S. Brodie, who recalls her initial time with Guinevere Turner and Rose Troche, initially committing to appearing in a short film for the duo. "Go Fish" eventually found life, and the interviewee describes the shooting experience, managing daily demands as a thespian and crew member. The Sundance Film Festival experience is remembered, along with her nomination at the Independent Spirit Awards. Brodie also shares the course of her life after appearing in the picture, and comments on its lasting appeal, recently revisiting "Go Fish" at the Sundance Film Festival.

• "It's Still Relevant" (9:55, HD) is an interview with actress Anastasia Wilcox, who was a neighbor to Rose Troche and Guinevere Turner, asked to join the "Go Fish" production without much in the way of acting experience. The interviewee details his personal experience with the movie, responding to its depiction of culture and relationships, and also its themes. Wilcox details the course of her life, attempting many jobs after trying her luck as an actress.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (1:37, HD) is included.

Go Fish Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

"Go Fish" can be a little meandering at times, but Troche retains a wonderfully lived-in atmosphere for the picture, making room for the characters to interact and relate (the largely amateur cast does well with small dramatic demands). She's also attentive to editing (semi-surreal transitions are favored here) and camera movement, trying to replicate early Spike Lee in the feature, and it works for the most part. "Go Fish" deals somewhat with representation during its most stiffly scripted moments, but it's definitely compelling when simply celebrating the personalities in play and their issues, providing a loving snapshot of a time, place, and people, treating it all with kindness and respect, making for an engaging sit.