Review: 'Don't Make Me Go' Reminds Us That Life Is Beautiful

John Cho is best known in his film career for having one foot firmly in the Dad-verse. As the straightest straight man in the "Harold and Kumar" movies, his bummed out, confused and handsome face was often the background and springboard for psychedelic, offensive, and often whacky hijinks. More recently, he has been getting cast as a Dad instead of a stodgy best friend. I would consider him a very attractive Dad, with just enough pathos to ensure that he can emote during any pre-Dad storyline. His face, and also the rest of him, are a big bonus in this movie.

"Don't Make Me Go" is the father-daughter road trip movie to encapsulate this time. Parenting has been a somewhat hectic post-apocalyptic wasteland in times during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the hyperfocus between this dad and his daughter seems very realistic in its execution. It is a movie that is really two movies: A rough cancer-related journey for single father Max (John Cho), and a non-standard bildungsroman for his teenage daughter Wally (Mia Isaac), who is chomping at the bit to be granted more independence..

There are beautiful shots of trans-American landscapes and somewhat trope-y rest stops with stereotypical American characters along the way. Especially for folks who have been stuck indoors or afraid of travel, it is a reminder that you could still get into a car and drive, even with the uncertainty of these times. The roads are still open – far more open than most folks might deem comfortable. Both Wally and Max struggle to connect with people outside of their relationship, nearly as much as they struggle to communicate with each other.

The movie seems more comedic than maudlin; most jokes hinge on characters not knowing what the audience knows. The subtext – these moments potentially being the last father and daughter may spend together – grants a lot of poignancy while the dad times roll. Eventually, all the skills and competencies parents pass on come to fruition through the children they raise, or at least that is the hope. I found it nice to watch something sad, which insists that while life is not fair, it can still be beautiful.

"Don't Make Me Go" starts streaming via Prime Video on July 15th.