The 2016 film XOXO can be seen as getting lost in the music or at the very least lost in the culture of the whole thing.
In a perfect world the “rave” or more accurately the EDM fest, XOXO could really be as depicted in this film. Places where young people are lost in the music. Not worrying about overdosing on ecstasy. Getting mugged, shot, stabbed, attacked or even dying. A look at the EDC in Las Vegas with its yearly casualties is an excellent reminder that all is not youthful histrionics at these festivals.
Leaving reality aside, this is after all, a film. XOXO is an ensemble piece. It is also a coming of age film.
The story
There is a YouTube DJ who gets a spot at the festival, a young girl is meeting her soul mate, a couple on the cusp of breaking up, and a young manager who wants to live the dream. There is also an older, 30 something, music lover. A former DJ getting caught up in the action.
The film is not bad. It almost feels like a Disney rendition of the EDM scene though. “There are no really bad people here and certainly no drug dealers, officer.” It is all about the music. Except for the “acid tongued” girl scene. and who doses up Tariq (Brett DelBuono) “drug guy” the film is pretty much “G” rated.
*Drug Guy (Scotty Dickert) feels like a refugee from the 1982 film Fast Times at Ridgemont High. The stoner in that film was a very young Sean Penn.*
Behind the Camera
Written and directed by Christopher Louie , his first film. It stars starring Sarah Hyland, Graham Phillips, Chris D’Elia, Hayley Kiyoko and Colin Woodell. XOXO follows a small group of people whose paths converge at the festival.
Out of the entire group the journey that Tariq takes pretty much steals the thunder of the whole film. After being kissed by LSD girl, the manager’s tortuous path to find his best friend and client is truly funny. This characters story is weird and quirky fun. It easily overshadows the rest of the film. by this character’s story.
In many ways XOXO showcases EDM, where good DJs are demigods who have devout followings. Everyone refers to the music fest as a rave in the film. This is a incongruity to the reality of holding music festivals illegally. Raves taking place in abandoned hangars and warehouses. None of these participants would need to run from the cops mid “concert.”
Its an ensemble piece
This ensemble film follows the journeys of seven people at the festival. It is, however, the backdrop of the XOXO music fest that shares center stage with the actors. We see the audience caught up in the sounds of the music, uplifting the participants. These permeate nearly every scene.
While there are only two scenes that focus on drugs, or two characters; the “drug guy” and the blonde girl with the tab of acid on her tongue, it is clear that Molly, or Ecstasy is still part of the scene. The four guys who want their money back from Neil (D’Ella) or a pound of his flesh, all become calm and lovely later.
It looks great
The film looks brilliant. The black light room, the VIP rooms and the setlooks like a real music festival screams authenticity to a huge degree.
XOXO is a romantic drama located in the EDM world. It may not come near reality, again think the Las Vegas EDC festival here, but it is a feel-good film that leaves the viewer smiling and nodding as the final credits roll.
the verdict
This Netflix film is a 3.5 star film. It loses one and a half stars because, in reality, apart from the EDM setting, there is nothing really new here. It does entertain. Hyland is so cute she takes the breath away. But there is nothing in XOXO to write home about.
The film is on Netflix at the moment and definitely worth a look. Check out the trailer below:
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