The GoGo’s Documentary

by Kathia Woods

I was 11 when are "Our Lips Are Sealed" came out. I remember seeing the video on MTV yes, that's when they still used to play videos. The girls were frolicking in the fountain cruising in the convertible. I didn't know who these ladies were, but I was intrigued. Years later, I learned that the group formed out of the LA Punk scene, which explains the connection I had to them. The Go-Go's were one of the pioneers of New Wave. The bright clothing to the bad-ass attitude. We grew up with them and cried when they broke up. A couple of facts The Go-Go's are the first multi-platinum all-female band to have written their lyrics as well as having played their instruments on every album. They are the most successful all-female rock band. They are one of the few groups not to be orchestrated by an executive or label. So naturally, when it was announced that their documentary would debut at Sundance, I wanted to see it. Director Alison Ellwood, "The Eagles," did something important here. She allowed the Ladies to tell their own stories. She not only interviewed the current members, but past members Margot Olavarria, Elissa Bello, and Paul Jean Brown were also included in the narrative. In this day and age where many biopics and documentaries are organized by folks adjacent to bands. I am glad that Ellwood told the complete story warts and all. Ten minutes in, I knew why the Ladies picked her to tell their story. The Vh-1 behind the music on The Go-Go's already showed us that they weren't girl scouts. It wasn't a secret that the Go-Go's did a lot of drugs in the '80s. Heck Cocaine was considered a pick me up; however, it was eye-opening to learn that Charlotte Caffey had a full-blown heroin addiction. The other alarming moment of the documentary is the relationship the ladies had with former manager Ginger Canzoneri. She invested in the band from the start and helped the ladies attain their record deal with I. R. S. She made personal sacrifices for the ladies to succeed only to be discarded for "Better." The documentary left a question mark if the Go-Go's and her ever reconciled. On the upside, it was admirable to see the ladies going from an idea to actualizing it. The countless hours they dedicated to learning their various instruments to hitting the road in front of hostile crowds. They are a living testimony to perseverance. The Go-Go's weren't afraid to address their demons in this documentary. Often in these circumstances, we are given a cleaned-up version of events. What we see on the screen is a group of women that have regrets but genuine respect and love for another. Fame is hard when your young and mix in drugs that don't precisely spell into a positive outcome as history has taught us. Belinda, Charlotte, Jane, Kathy, and Gina are older now. Their breakup wasn't pretty, but time has healed all wounds. They learned to listen to each other and how-to problem resolute. The one takeaway from this film is that the road is never easy for women. We aren't allowed to age; if were assertive, we are troublesome, and if we demand respect were deemed ungrateful. The Go-Go's were the essential 80's, female empowerment group. They didn't take any mess while making some great music. The opening beat to "Our Lips Are Sealed" is legendary. The hard bass line in "We Got The Beat" has been sampled numerous times by bands such as Girl Talk, and Pwn Monkey. Their music has survived the test of time even though today's style is smoother. The girls from LA did well. There is still some unfinished business, such as when will they finally get inducted into the Rock-n-Roll Hall of Fame? Seven million albums sold, their debut album "Beauty and Beast" was number one on Billboard for six consecutive weeks, and to this day they are still the most successful girl band. So hopefully, this film will push the powers of being into doing the right thing. Here's to all us girls that wanted to sing Like Belinda, Play guitar like Jane and Charlotte, give us a mean bass line like Kathy and jam hard like Gina. Scale: I give this film a seven for sheer honestly.

Scale: I give this film a seven for sheer honestly.