Groove (2000)

56% of critics liked it
(50 reviews)
79% of users liked it
(5,790 ratings)

Following other indie films about the kinetic, drug-saturated rave culture such as Go (1999) and Human Traffic (1999) comes this ensemble movie, set in San Francisco. At the film's opening, the main characters are introduced at breakneck speed, including Leyla (Lola Glaudini) who recently arrived… More Following other indie films about the kinetic, drug-saturated rave culture such as Go (1999) and Human Traffic (1999) comes this ensemble movie, set in San Francisco. At the film's opening, the main characters are introduced at breakneck speed, including Leyla (Lola Glaudini) who recently arrived from New York, Neo-hippie Harmony (MacKenzie Firgens), who is celebrating her birthday with her boyfriend Colin (Denny Kirkwood), and Colin's nerdy brother David (Hamish Linklater), who would much rather read than rave. As the film charts David's first taste of chemically-induced ecstasy and his budding romance with Leyla, who serves as his trip guide, it also includes a small vignette of the tattoo and piercing set, including blissed-out drug dealers and their attempts at scamming on chicks, a skinhead looking for trouble, and a gay couple who just can't quite figure out where the blasted rave is. This film was screened at the 2000 Sundance Film Festival. ~ Jonathan Crow, Rovi

Play Trailer

Rating, Runtime: R, 1 hr. 24 min.
Directed By: Greg Harrison
Written By: Greg Harrison
Genres: Drama

In Theaters: Jun 9, 2000 Wide
On DVD: Dec 5, 2000
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

Critic Reviews

Desson Thomson, Washington Post
If this movie achieves anything, it makes you realize how dull parties really are.
David Edelstein, Slate
A little bland, but it puts you in the mood to forgive it: relaxed and mellow and accepting.
Tom Long, Detroit News
Manages to both capture the spirit of a counterculture and reflect on the essentially conventional lives of those who lose themselves in the buzz.
Owen Gleiberman, Entertainment Weekly
What's infectious about Groove is the friendly, almost innocent way that its brat pack of digital-age bohemians seek liberation in a world where there is nothing left to rebel against.
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times
Like drug movies from the 1960s, it's naive, believing that the problems of the straight life can be solved by dropping out and tuning in.
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee
This film seems a little sanitized.
Michael Dequina, TheMovieReport.com
Harrison's eye for detail paints a fairly vivid slice-of-life picture.
Jeffrey Westhoff, Northwest Herald (Crystal Lake, IL)
A Frankie and Annette picture for the rave crowd.
James Sanford, Kalamazoo Gazette
anything but a cautionary expose. In fact, it's almost an urban fairy tale.
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
A movie for those in love with the rave scene, and those who are just curious.
Neil Smith, BBC
The fresh-faced cast of newcomers and edgy, restless camerawork make up for the script's inherent predictability.