Don't Make Me Go Review: John Cho & Mia Isaac Shine In An Uneven Story

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There comes a time in a girl’s life when she has to grapple with the idea of losing her father. Whether it’s due to age, illness, or other unforeseen circumstances, unsuspected loss is always difficult to handle. Leading up to these scenarios, parents often maintain the notion that keeping their children in the dark about ongoing health concerns or other problems is a way to keep them protected. It’s a philosophy that doesn’t always end well, but parents use it frequently nonetheless. That’s the premise of director Hannah Marks’ Don’t Make Me Go, a story about the unpredictable intricacies of life and choosing to live in the present to protect a loved one’s future. It doesn’t always capitalize on its strengths, but Don’t Make Me Go is a journey worth taking thanks to fantastic performances from its two leads.

The story follows Max Park (John Cho), an uptight yet loving father who discovers that he has a terminal brain tumor with a slim chance of survival if he proceeds with the operation suggested by his neurologist. Determined to reclaim the last year of his life by spending it with his daughter Wally (Mia Isaac) in the best way he knows how, Max unravels a plan to prepare Wally for her heartbreaking future. Together, the two set out on a cross-country journey from California to New Orleans to reunite Wally with her mother, who abandoned them when Wally was a baby. With roadblocks and conflicts waiting for them throughout their trip, Max must find a way to deliver the deadly news just as he’s building a new relationship with his daughter.

Related: John Cho & Mia Isaac Interview: Don't Make Me Go

Vera Herbert’s endearing script has several strengths going for it. There’s a beautiful and sweet father-daughter relationship