MovieChat Forums > Goin' Down the Road (1972) Discussion > One of the greatest films I have seen

One of the greatest films I have seen

posted 18 years ago by joon808
21 replies | jump to latest

Why is this film so appealing to me and many others? The sound quality is not the greatest, the lighting is poor, and the whole overall look of the film is very low budget. But its all those elements that give this film its heart and soul. Its so raw and real, nothing dressed up. Its life as it is, a moment in the lives of 2 guys in search of a better life where nothing really works out for them, and eventually they just give up. The style of film making the director used is the only style that makes this film work. Gritty picture quality, muffled sounds and terrible lighting adds such a great effect and feel to the film because it relates to the story so well. The acting is also very raw, almost as if they weren't acting at all, like it's an actual real life story. If this film was done with all the best film and editing equipment, digital sorround sound, and crystal clear hi-def picture quality, it would dramatically lose its effect. I would love to see new films being made the same way Goin' Down the Road was done. This film is definately a treasure.

[–] Norton-9 18 years ago

I really have to agree with joon808 in adding my own praise of this Canadian masterpiece. Watching a film like Goin' Down The Road is like going back in time to a Toronto that no longer exists. To see how Yonge Street has changed in the past 35 years is definitely bitter-sweet. Watching this film is like drinking a still-refreshing Labatt 50 from a long-lost stubby bottle. Seeing the scenes shot in the old A&A Records really brought back memories of a time long gone but never forgotten. My Nova Scotia Home, Loblaws, Erik Satie, Kraft Dinner, the Toronto Islands, the Old City Hall, Allan Gardens, the old Wilson Ginger Ale factory--all of these things and many others provide the indelible images that make up this Canadian classic. Lard Tunderin' Jaysus--What's the matter with Jaysus? What a film.

[–] scott88-4 18 years ago

Couldn't agree more with the two above reviews. This film is indeed an important piece of Canadiana. I saw it for the first time about 7 years ago and was convinced I had found a gem that only I knew about. However, a few years later (after acquiring internet access), I learned that this film had really received the due it deserved, and far before I took notice. It's honest, it's bleak, and it's one of the better films ever made in this country. And by "better" I don't mean production values! Crew was non-existant, lighting atrocious in spots, and it really does have a low-budget (NO budget) feel and look to it. However, that's why it's a gem. It plays like a documentary with wonderful characters, superb locations and a truly timeless story.

It is really a film that deserves so much praise. It is so great on so many levels. Truly a find that will make any lover of film smile and appreciate the art.

[–] springy_v 18 years ago

I'm another person for this film, which isnt impressive on appearance levels but seriously is an amazing reflection of what Canadian culture was at the time. The 'city slickers' can say they have nothing whatsoever to relate to this film, but I know of so many Easterners who have moved West in Canada looking for a better life. Not only is the movie true to life, it represents so much more and presents itself convincingly.

Words can't even describe how much I want to say about this one, I'd need a long time. The first night I saw it I went home and bawled. This is a classic Canadian film whether Canadians realize it or not. We need to stop embracing the glossy Hollywood image as our own and take a look at the actual truths presented to us, by ourselves. We're missing out on our own culture.

[–] moot570 18 years ago

I had a weird experience involving this movie. This afternoon I was reading an article in the Province newspaper, it listed the ten must-see Canadian films including this one. The weird part was I was watching t.v. later tonight and I came across the scene in the grocery store. For some reason watching the gritty seventies setting I immediately thought it might be this movie. I just think it's strange that I would hear about it for the first time and then see it on t.v. later that night, and know what it was intuitively.

[–] dg-7 18 years ago

I love this film. I would compare it to "Midnight Cowboy" with its bleak portrayal of the human condition and the hellish world - and the cruelty of life - that the two characters find when they head to Toronto for "a better life."

The last scene in the film so heartbreaking and sad because the decision they make - a terrible mistake - has repercussions that will haunt both of the characters for the rest of their lives.

Question: The actress who played the girl in the record shop. Shebib said on the DVD commentary that she died shortly after filming. Do you know her name?

[–] madsagittarian 18 years ago

This has confused me. The IMDB listing shows Shiela White as "girl in record shop"... and she was in films until the year 2000.... hardly passing away "shortly after".

[–] cflr 12 years ago

I guessed before I even came onto this particular board that the IMDB listing was incorrect. They have the Sheila White from this film subsumed under a British Sheila White. It didn't make sense to me why a British actress who has done all of her work over there would take such a small part in a largely unknown film like this one.

As for the Sheila White in this film, that is sad that she passed away shortly after filming and obviously at a young age. Her scene in this film is brief but she is stunningly beautiful.

[–] joon808 17 years ago

I think her name was Sheila White and she was very beautiful. Very sad her life ended at such a young age. Atleast she continues to exist through this film. Her role may be short, but more than enough for everyone to take notice of her and realise what an angel she was.

[–] stairwaytoevan_ 18 years ago

i can't believe i missed that article...if you saved it, what were the other 9?

[–] cpc2 17 years ago

I am a sucker for nostalgia too, so its hard not to like this movie no matter the content of the actual movie, although it is good as a film in itself. This movie is very good. Excellent entertainment. I love the street scenes and the shots of Toronto from Centre Island give me chills. It's just so amazing seeing even a few small snippets of Toronto back around 1970. I was born in 1970, so this movie is kinda interesting to me. For a somewhat different and sleezy American counterpart companion to this movie, I highly recommend Midnight Cowboy. A much higher budget film, but nostalgia reigns in that movie too. Anywho, Goin' Down the Road is a classic. If you haven't seen the SCTV take-off of this, you have to. The Jayne Eastwood even reprises her role in this skit and it is hilarious.

[–] Chinstrap 17 years ago

Okay, you can all jump on me for saying this, but ... I find this movie unwatchable and I'm someone who prefers small independent films to big Hollywood blockbusters. Also, I grew up in Toronto and was a teenager in the '70's so I should be able to identify with all the scenes you mention, though perhaps not from the perspective of the two main characters. Maybe you have to be from the Maritimes to get it. I don't know, I just find it all so cheap and lame and depressing and bad. But, since everyone here seems to think it's a great film, maybe I'll give it another shot. I'm sure it'll show up on Bravo again soon.

[–] joon808 17 years ago

It is depressing because its a look into the lives of people who are filled with dreams and optimism but are stuck struggling just to make ends meet. I wasn't around at the time when this film was made, I'm not from the maritimes, and I have always lived a decent rather carefree life. But when I saw this movie, I was absolutely able to relate to it. Its all due to good directing and great acting all done on a low budget which helped paint an even bleaker picture to the story. The story is as real as it gets. If you watch it again, try to think about all the new comers to this country and how difficult and depressing it is for them starting a new life. Thats exactly how it is for the characters in this film.

[–] irishclown66 17 years ago

movies should be more like this [real life] people that don't get it have never really struggled in there life's .being from the maritimes ,it's a whole different life down home.a lot of good people struggling down life's path,not because they don't want a better life but there education lacks there are no jobs ,things are just really hard.and then you throw in the big city and overwhelming life of toronto and lay-off's and a holiday season .depression sets in they make stupid choices rob a loblaws for food ,not money ,because they don't have enough money to eat.people should make the trip to the east coast before judging people from there,great people.down home folk that would take there shirt off there back to make you feel welcome,but when they come hear we treat badly and call them stupid and make them feel unwelcome. what do people expect.it's funny that a dead on movie in the 70's struggles and people think it's a badly done movie.real people ,real life, and a movie without all the bells and whistles and people think it's stinks ,because it's real and people choose to ignore real life's problems.shame on the world,it hurts when we see the truth..... tim in toronto [email protected]

[–] maydom04 17 years ago

A Great Film.
Of course it has added meaning to those who lived in Toronto through that era..I have lived in Toronto since 1959 and was a teen in late 60's early 70's.

The images of Toronto at that time bring back many personal memories.

I know this may be a long shot, but does anyone know the locations (street names/address) of some of the scenes? I am curious to know where :

House of Joey's aunt

Wilson's Ginger Ale plant

The bridge over which they throw the advertising flyers

Hi-rise apartment unit (the establishing-shot of the high-rise building is obviously an office building-Simpsons tower I think), possibly thorncliffe Park
area?

The rented flat in the house (looks like cabbagetown or east-end Toronto)

The Loblaws store (looks like it may have been in Thorncliffe Park ?)

Thanks in advance!

[–] nevil42 11 years ago

the Aunt's house (played by my Mom) was in Willowdale :)

[–] headingforthemoon 17 years ago

old post, but I completely agree. The first time I saw it, I was really young but even then I thought it had a special little something. I couldn't quite figure out what it was. I can't say I absolutely adored it from the beginning, though - it took me awhile before I became smitten with it. My dad was the one who thought it was The Best Movie Ever Made (it deserves capitalization!). So it was funny when, years later in 1994 my mom came home from parent/teacher night at her school and announced that she had chatted with none other than Jayne Eastwood, whose kid was in her class at the time. (said kid also took a flip off a chair later in the year, lol)

I love the washed out look. When CityTV aired it last year they tried to restore the picture a little, and it came out oversaturated. Looked awful! I'm glad Seville didn't *beep* around with the quality & sound when they released it on DVD. I don't think any new films these days could achieve the greatness that Shebib did with GDTR. I think actors and directors of that caliber just don't exist anymore, sadly, and audiences that would appreciate it are rare.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] cflr 12 years ago

It is great to see all of the wonderful words about this classic Canadian film. It is gritty and depressing but that only reflects human life and makes this film as compelling as it is.

I just watched the sequel which was pretty decent in its own right but nothing holds a candle to the original.

[–] luckyseven-251-453867 11 years ago

What a trip down memory lane! This film has so much meaning to me, it felt more like a documentary. I left Montréal in the summer of '69 in an old '58 Pontiac to find myself an office job on Richmond St. W. right across from the old City Hall. I remember watching people skating on that rink from my office window, until they built a hotel that eventually blocked my view. It's great to see Toronto back in the '70s with the hairstyles, the clothes, Young St. and all the clubs and restaurants, A&A Records, Toronto Islands, etc... Beautiful memories... Unfortunately, the October Crisis came along and it became impossible for a Quebecer to live there with all the racists and bigots that used to live there. Couldn't help but move back to Montréal. Too bad!

[–] activista 10 years ago

I wouldn't say it's one of the greatest films ever made or anything like that, but it's a genuinely charming film that balances that charm with an unflinching,very realistic look at the drabness of everyday working people's lives at the beginning of the '70's, and the struggle of trying to make it from paycheck to paycheck. And the two lead characters are very appealing and fun to watch--plus they're both hilarious sometimes,which also helps.

Yeah, it's low-budget as hell, but I love well-done low-budget films that are able to capture a slice of life from a certain time and place,whether from the past or the present. And there are still movies being made like that today---they're just being shot on digital,that's all. Really enjoyed this flick--it'a a true old-school Canadian gem (I ain't even Canadian, and I loved it because I like Canadian films anyway.)

[–] talisencrw 8 years ago

I just saw it for the first time myself, after trying to find it for decades and finding it and its sequel in a 2-blu pack recently, new, for $3. It easily deserves its masterpiece status, 10/10 for me, and I found the sequel to be very good, and 9/10. Definitely essential viewing either for Canadians, lovers of road movies, and anyone worldwide with even a vague interest in Canada.