Groove (2000) (4K Ultra HD Review)
DIRECTED BY: Greg Harrison
STARRING: Chris Ferreira, Mackenzie Firgens, Steve Van Wormer
RATED: R/Region: O/1:85/2160P/NUMBER OF DISCS 1
AVAILABLE FROM Sony Pictures
If you’ve ever wondered what it would feel like to wander into a warehouse at 2 a.m., immediately lose your friends, and spend the next four hours vibing with strangers you’ll never see again—congrats, Groove has you covered.
Directed by Gregory Harrison, this is less a movie and more a time capsule of the late-‘90s rave scene, preserved in all its glow-stick-waving, visor-wearing, “did someone say trance remix?” glory. The plot is…well, “plot” might be generous. Things happen. People show up. Music plays. Occasionally someone has a conversation that feels like it was improvised five seconds after a Red Bull and a life crisis.
But here’s the thing—it works.
Instead of forcing some over-the-top drama, Groove just kind of exists. It drifts from character to character like you’re floating through the party yourself, eavesdropping on hookups, awkward flirtations, existential musings, and at least one guy who definitely thinks he’s way more profound than he is. It’s chaotic, loose, and borderline structureless…which is exactly why it feels authentic.
The soundtrack absolutely carries the movie on its back like a champion. If you’re even remotely into electronic music, this thing hits like a nostalgia bomb—even if you weren’t actually there. It’s got that hypnotic, repetitive energy that makes you forget you’ve been watching people dance for what feels like an hour…because you kind of have.
Are the characters deeply developed? Not really. Do some of the storylines go nowhere? Oh yeah. Will you remember everyone’s name? Absolutely not. But that’s also kind of the point. Groove isn’t about who these people are outside the party—it’s about who they are in it, in that weird, fleeting moment where everything feels important and meaningless at the same time.
Bottom line: it’s messy, it’s aimless, and it occasionally feels like a feature-length montage—but it nails the vibe so well you won’t care. It’s less “watch this movie” and more “experience this night,” just without the sore feet and questionable life choices the next morning.
Extras
- Audio Commentary – This legacy track features writer/director/editor Greg Harrison, producer Danielle Renfrew, and cinematographer Matt Irving, who contribute to a decently chatty and informative track that balances technical details with the pros and cons of indie filmmaking as well as fun and trivial tidbits.
- Behind-the-Scenes Footage (6:34) – Likewise, these rough but watchable videotaped snippets have an enjoyable “you are there” vibe, mostly centering on setting up the main filming location.
- Extended and Deleted Scenes (5:59) – A handful of excised footage presented in rough workprint form and also available with optional director commentary.
- Camera Test (1:21) – A demo of 24fps and 48fps footage to test the third-act slo-mo sequence.
- Casting Auditions (4:09) – Likewise, these short pieces also include optional director commentary.
- Music Video (3:03) – Bedrock’s choice cut “Heaven Scent” is paired with SD clips from the film.
