Drive-Away Dolls, the primary solo-directed function movie by legendary director Ethan Coen, is greatest described as a lesbian highway journey film. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan star as two mates who determine to ditch city seeking journey – in Tallahassee, of all locations – and discover themselves being chased by mobsters who’re after a briefcase that was within the automobile that they used on their journey. It’s a wild trip, full of every thing from nice performing to weird transitions. Our Drive-Away Dolls assessment will cowl the great, the dangerous, and every thing in between. So, let’s get into it!

The Good

In an period full of remakes and sequels, Drive-Away Dolls presents one thing actually distinctive. The movie options queer friendship and romance in a daring, unapologetic gentle, and it definitely isn’t afraid to take dangers. Genres mix collectively confidently, from violent crime to stomach laughs to heartwarming conversations. It manages to really feel recent whereas additionally evoking a way of nostalgia for its tributes to 70s cinema.

The movie can also be relentlessly humorous. A lot of the humour comes from the boldness of Margaret Qualley’s Jamie, who reminds us of an excessively trustworthy buddy. There are additionally laughs on the sheer audacity of a number of the instructions that the movie goes, leaving loads of sudden gags.

One other energy of the movie is our lack of ability to foretell what is going to occur subsequent. I ended bothering to guess the place issues would go, which is tough to do in a criminal offense movie. For instance, listening to the movie’s plot would make one assume that the briefcase is filled with cash, medicine, or one thing comparable. We gained’t spoil that reveal, however belief me. You’ll by no means see it coming. Attempt to guess all through the movie, and it’ll solely make the viewing expertise higher. 

The Dangerous

Regardless of the enjoyable, Drive-Away Dolls comes with some downsides. There are some hilarious cameos, together with Matt Damon and Miley Cyrus. Different roles, like Pedro Pascal’s Santos and Colman Domingo’s Chief, really feel wasted. The dearth of exploration might make sense within the grand scheme of issues, however we will’t assist however be disillusioned by it.

The best weak spot, nevertheless, is that this movie doesn’t appear to know who it’s for. There’s magic in Coen Brothers films that transcends typical viewers demographics, however Drive-Away Dolls doesn’t match the identical standards. I can’t consider many mates I’d take to see this movie, and I wouldn’t advocate it to anyone on the water cooler. It labored for me, a queer millennial, however I can’t see it working for 1 / 4 of the individuals who may head out to see it once they see the solid and crew.

Ethan Coen Will get Solo Evaluate In Drive-Away Dolls

The Coen Brothers have produced a number of the most memorable films of the previous many years, from No Nation for Outdated Males to Fargo. The directing duo has been transferring towards extra particular person tasks since 2019, and Drive-Away Dolls is the primary narrative movie by Ethan Coen.

Followers of unique Coen Brothers work might wander into the theater hoping for some typical Coen motifs. Imperfect crime, unimaginable plans, and unwavering character motivations are hallmarks of the brothers. Drive-Away Dolls options sprinkles of some frequent themes whereas straying distant sufficient to make no mistake: This isn’t a Coen Brothers movie.

The Lead Duo Shines

Margaret Qualley has been a rising star over the previous 5 years. Apart from her lead in Netflix’s Maid in 2021, most of her roles have pushed her to aspect character work. But, she’s nonetheless stolen loads of reveals. Drive-Away Dolls lastly provides her an opportunity to steer, and the function of Jamie is an electrical one. Her swagger completely fits Qualley’s aura of confidence, and it’s arduous to think about anyone else within the function.

Geraldine Viswanathan’s function as Marian is the entire reverse of Jamie’s. She’s extra level-headed, much less assured, and has much less excessive pursuits. The actress, who has stolen our hearts earlier than in movies like Blockers and The Damaged Hearts Gallery, is a superb scene associate all through the movie and offers a superb steadiness.

Is Drive-Away Dolls A Good Queer Film?

There aren’t a whole lot of mainstream movies that includes lesbian leads. Drive-Away Dolls has a whole lot of enjoyable illustration, by no means shying away from even probably the most intimate subject material. There are a whole lot of jokes that might solely be utilized in a film that’s this happy with its queerness, and it really works.

The behind-the-scenes crew did depart me interested in how they got here to such storytelling. The private lives of filmmaking groups hardly ever affect our capacity to take pleasure in a narrative. Nonetheless, when a movie is so open about id, it’s arduous to not surprise. The movie was written by Ethan Coen and his spouse, Tricia Cooke. However that doesn’t imply it isn’t a queer-created film. Cooke has not shied away from her id whereas doing press for the movie, specifying in interviews that she does establish as queer and that she and Coen have something however a conventional partnership.

Total Evaluate Of Drive-Away Dolls

My ultimate assessment of Drive-Away Dolls is that when you’re the proper viewers, you’ll have a grand time. It’s not something life-changing, and I in all probability gained’t be occupied with it in ten years. However the quick runtime is greater than pleasing sufficient, and it gave me greater than sufficient laughs to depart blissful. Should you’re in search of one thing new, Drive-Away Dolls is an efficient choose on your weekend outing.