R 2024 Comedy/Thriller 1h 24m
Last month when I was asked what 2024 movies I was most looking forward to, I listed Drive-Away Dolls in my shortlist. I was excited to see it today. Unfortunately, the movie was a far cry from my expectations. The movie was written and directed by one of the Coen Brothers (Ethan). I like most of the Coen Brothers movies. I guess I don’t necessarily like Coen Brother movies.
Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Jamie (Margaret Qualley) are the titular drive-away dolls. Marian is uptight and Jamie is a Texas-raised, sexually free-spirited, ball of energy. They are a lesbian odd couple who decide to take a road trip to Florida. Unbeknownst to them, there is a MacGuffin in their truck that a band of criminals are anxious to get back. No spoilers to this point, you could glean all of that from the trailer.
Viswanathan and Qualley are called upon to carry this movie. They are in almost every scene and they do a good job with what they have to work with. It’s too bad that the writing doesn’t do them any favors. Instead of a sharp witty adventure, we are stuck with Drive-Away Dolls. Can you remember the wave of mostly forgettable Quentin Tarantino rip-offs that followed the success of Pulp Fiction? You’re forgiven if you can’t, but this movie would fit in well with those. It’s even set in 1999 so perhaps it’s intentional. When you saw Pulp Fiction, do you wish you got to see what was in the briefcase? Probably. Would you have been satisfied if you learned it was filled with high-end dildos? I'm going to guess no. However, if that’s your cup of tea, Drive-Away Dolls may be up your alley. For me, there was too much focus on dildos and masturbation and not enough wit. Pedro Pascal and Matt Damon are billed as being in the movie but have fewer than five minutes of screen time combined.
Drive-Away Dolls is regrettably forgettable.
Commentaires