THE GO-GO’S
BLU-RAY
THE GO-GO’S have always deserved more credit for pioneering the new wave of all-female musicianship and creative empowerment that emerged in the day-glo 1980s. Thankfully, this spot-on self-titled documentary, directed by Alison Ellwood and initially broadcast on Showtime in 2020, lets the L.a.-bred quintet’s music—and every one of the bandmembers themselves, both past and present— do the real talking.
Those familiar with the sound of the band’s sunny chart-toppers might be surprised to learn just how deep their punk roots go, and late-’70s footage of brash kiss-offs like “We’re Here Now” and “Robert Hilburn” only corroborate that cred. To be sure, these and other vintage performance clips are rife with of-era grit and grain, but that’s exactly as it should be to accurately reflect the feel of the times and seedy locales where they occurred. That said, vibrant animation and visual effects courtesy Ben Fine are dropped in here and there to spruce up the proceedings. Not only that, but full-on hi-def production values ensure the modern-day interviews with each Go-go serve to highlight their unbowed individual styles, whether it’s lead singer Belinda Carlisle’s inherent air of glamor or guitarist/vocalist Jane Wiedlin’s signature pixie haircut proudly flecked with gray.
Fashionistas will surely revel in spotting the shifting clothing trends as the years roll on, but let’s also credit drummer Gina Schock for being the band’s official on-the-spot photographic chronicler. Be sure to watch through the end credits to see all five Go-go’s crammed together in a U-shaped crimson-red nightclub booth to collectively cackle over a gaggle of Schock’s candid Polaroids.
Sonically speaking, sound editors Stephen Barden and Jill Purdy zero in on the true depth of the band’s song arrangements, best exemplified by the clever juxtaposition of Charlotte Caffey’s insistent piano runs, Kathy Valentine’s spunky, isolated bassline break, and the crisp recurring handclaps on “Head Over Heels.” Near the end, we get rehearsal footage of the revitalized band working through their catchy 2020 song “Club Zero,” which then plays out in full over the aforementioned end credits, deftly capturing the beautiful heartbeat of their undeniable chemistry.
Other than a bundled DVD there are no extras—or, as “Club Zero” precisely puts it, “Zero f---s given.” It would’ve been cool to see a slate of vintage vids, but this warts-and-all doc amply shows The Go-go’s were so much more than progenitors of pure pop confection.