Go Fish

Rose Troche, USA, 1994, 84 minutes

First-time director Rose Troche's spiky love-story shows exciting promise for the future. The film concerns two lesbians in Chicago: Max, a hip young woman who is in need of a lover for a more lasting relationship than her recent ones have been; and Ely, the "lesbian Ghandi" whom Max initially thinks she is totally incompatible with. One of the film's strengths is its uncliched and attractive portrayal of the characters in it (Max and Ely's friends who encourage them to get together provide an interesting and entertaining backdrop to the main theme). Among the other strengths of the piece are its punchy editing, low-key camerawork and sharp dialogue. If this film had been about a male-female relationship, it would probably have been more widely appreciated and liked. It is imaginatively, purposefully, and entertainingly directed, and augurs well for further projects from Troche and her team. Stimulating and eye-catching film-making.

Review by Iain Lang
Taken from EUFS Programme 1995-96