Rave on

>> Groove is a passable party movie

by LORRAINE CARPENTER

"The shit ain't over till the last record spins." Words of wisdom from the man behind Groove (the party) in Groove (the film), a story tracking the progress of an old-school, illegal rave in San Francisco. This directorial debut by Greg Harrison paints an idealistic picture of the Bay Area rave scene. That's not to say that the downsides of raving--bad trips, bad people, bad clothes--are completely ignored, but the whole rave ethic of a mystical, unified vibe under a blanket of beats and pills is played up to the max.

The characters followed around Groove's warehouse party form a fairly accurate (or at least believable) microcosm of the rave experience: there's the academic E-newbie David; the hedonistic rave veteran Leyla; the "hands-on" junkie sleaze; the phat-pants-wearing rich kid who overdoes (and nearly overdoses on) the substances; and the overly joyous couple whose Groove night just might change them forever. There is no shortage of epiphanies here, and with the inclusion of a cheesy, "opposites attract" romance, much of the actual plot is like a nocturnal Breakfast Club without the nasty principal (or the tragic makeover, thankfully).

The true crux of the film, however, is the rave itself, from the organizational mishaps to the colourful, hypnotic visuals, to the house, techno and trance music to the almost fetishistic focus on the mechanics of "turntablism." Though this portrait of a rave sometimes gets bogged down in the mini soap operas of our main characters, the feel of the party, with all its incidental freaks and zoned-out conversations, is what makes the film. Harrison should be commended for capturing this vibe, despite some possible factual inaccuracies. (Or do San Fran raves really offer free bottled water and fresh fruit?)

Another inaccuracy you may notice, depending on your own rave experiences (or lack thereof), is the party's hippie-free-for-all basis. For example, the chief organizer's goal is to throw parties simply for the fun of giving other people a good time, despite losing money and risking arrest. While his selfless attitude doesn't ring any bells with this writer, Harrison and co. are on a different coast and likely have the scene's early '90s heyday in mind.

Overall, this is a flawed but ambitious film that offers a refreshing alternative to your typical drug-death morality play. Just remember to leave your glowsticks, whistles and Vapo at home. Please.

Groove opens Friday, Sept. 1