What Goes Up (2009)
-
16% of critics liked it
(32 reviews) -
33% of users liked it
(11,949 ratings)
A period comedy set in the 1980s, Jonathan Glatzer's What Goes Up tells the poignant story of a morally challenged New York reporter who connects with a group of high school outcasts while in New Hampshire covering the story of Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut. Arriving in… More A period comedy set in the 1980s, Jonathan Glatzer's What Goes Up tells the poignant story of a morally challenged New York reporter who connects with a group of high school outcasts while in New Hampshire covering the story of Christa McAuliffe, the first civilian astronaut. Arriving in McAullife's hometown, reporter Campbell Babbitt (Steve Coogan) is distraught to learn that an old college friend has recently committed suicide. Meanwhile, as Babbitt attempts to craft an unsung hero story about his old friend by gravitating toward the teacher's misfit students, local teacher (Molly Shannon) scrambles to cover up a looming scandal. When Babbitt discovers that the motley crew of teens is comprised of a self-absorbed seductress (Hilary Duff), a timid voyeur (Josh Peck), and a manipulative pregnant teen (Olivia Thirlby), he becomes obsessed with our need to create heroes where none exist. Over time, the roles are reversed and Babbitt learns that the traits he is currently projecting onto his fallen friend's students may in fact be traits possessed by he and other adults. Increasingly at ease around the students as he relates to them on their own terms, Babbitt gradually begins to form a fixation on the very student rumored to have had an affair with his deceased friend. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Jonathan Glatzer
- Written By
- Jonathan Glatzer, Robert Lawson
- Genres
- Drama, Comedy
R,
- In Theaters
- May 29, 2009 Wide
- Studio
- Three Kings
Critic Reviews
-
Michael Phillips, Chicago Tribune
About as cruddy as a cruddy little indie can get, especially given a cast that should've known better.
-
Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger
The whole thing feels like a premeditated attempt at a Sundance sensation, a mix of cast members (and ideas) from Juno and Hamlet 2 spiced up with the now obligatory '80s references.
-
Andrew O'Hehir, Salon.com
Director and co-writer Jonathan Glatzer handles his talented cast well, and the movie is dark, droll and sentimental in roughly the correct proportions.
-
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
I never know quite what they were saying about heroism and then there are all these unanswered questions.
-
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
The film really struggles to find its voice and to find purpose and meaning.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
Featured Audience Ratings
Also available on
UltraViolet Retailers
Other Retailers
Subscription Services
Not Available
Not Available
Not Available
Cast
-
Steve Coogan
as Campbell Babbitt
-
Hilary Duff
as Lucy
-
Josh Peck
as Jim
-
Olivia Thirlby
as Tess
-
Molly Shannon
as Penelope
-
Molly Price
as Donna
-
Max Hoffman
as Fenster
-
Brenna O'Brien
as Diminutive Girl
-
Gabrielle Rose
as Mrs. Bridigan
-
Alexia Fast
as Hannah
-
Patrick Gilmore
as Hank Pelzman
-
Sarah Lind
as Peggy
-
Andrew Wheeler
as Principal Person
-
Aaron Brooks
as Ezra
-
Vanesa Tomasino
as Landlord
-
Kendra Sue Waldman
as Dusty Drake
-
Geoff Gustafson
as Reporter
-
Barry Greene
as Sam
- Ashley Whillans
