Left with an aching instinctual itch to explore America after a traumatic loss, a curious teenager named Mercer suddenly steals a car in Oregon and develops a life-altering telephonic connection with the forgiving and mysterious girl he took it from. As he sets out with her phone calls as guidance, Mercer's motives find focus as he travels across the postmodern highways of the former Wild West to seek self-knowledge and a sense of belonging. Played with truth and nuance by Lou Taylor Pucci, young Mercer follows the clues and confronts struggles, both good and bad, on his spiritual journey toward manhood and an end to his grief.

Supporting him in a range of unlikely relationships and chance encounters is an eloquent set of performances that include Zooey Deschanel as the car's owner, Jena Malone as a precocious distraction in Reno, and Maura Tierney as his brother's old flame.Byron Shah's dreamlike cinematography and M. Ward's original soundtrack add to this "mix tape" of emotional discoveries. Perhaps most impressive is the way writer/director Martin Hynes vividly and creatively steers the viewer on this cinematic ride, where there are some roads still worth driving down.

.. Joseph Beyer, Sundance Film Festival

What inspired you to write THE GO-GETTER?
The story..s mostly autobiography, twisted around enough to make Mercer more reckless and cool than I..ve ever been.

It..s been said that some Christians have responded to the spiritual element in the film, particularly the idea of getting second chances in life and how love affects that. So, is this the first in the Born Again Road Movie genre?
I..m not religious, and given the fairly raw language and sexuality in the film, I don..t think we..ll be asked on the 700 Club. But a group of seminary students were at one of the Sundance screenings, and they were intrigued by the threads of spiritual confusion that run through Mercer..s road trip.

What is the best thing about having your film at AFI DALLAS?
David Lynch makes films without compromise or convention; it..s great to be part of any festival that hands him an award.

Was the decision to shoot the film in sequence in the actual locations depicted weighted more on which side .. creative or economic?
Shooting in sequence was an entirely creative decision, much to the chagrin of my line producer and AD; Lou .. and all of us .. needed to go on the trip.

What should a director do that they never think of until it..s almost too late?
In my case, the answer was ..stop acting in his own films... When your acting runs the gamut of emotions from A to B, it handcuffs your storytelling.

Seriously, is the Taylor really necessary between the Lou and the Pucci?
If you..re as talented as Lou, you can call yourself whatever the hell you want. On set we call him Pooch, and he calls me things we can..t print here.

How often do you bring up your Pixie Award nomination for GEORGE LUCAS IN LOVE while directing your actors?
Few words bespeak respect and gravitas quite as much as ..Pixie... It..s every young leading man..s dream just to be nominated.

Zooey Deschanel or Jena Malone .. Which one would be more okay with you stealing her car if she thought you were cute?
I can say with some authority .. neither. And I..d like to take this opportunity to formally apologize and ask them both to drop the charges.

What was the last film that made you cry? Laugh out loud?
Half Nelson hit me pretty hard, but what honestly makes me cry is stuff like ..Merry Christmas you old Building and Loan!.. or Redford running the bases in The Natural .. the old triumph of the human spirit crap. As for comedy, that phone call bit that Kevin Kline and Maya Rudolph do in Prairie Home Companion is perfect and pure.

Popcorn or candy?
Both, always. But please call it Popcorn Taylor Popcorn.