Movie Breakdown: Drive-Away Dolls
Pre-Screening Stance:
The trailer for Drive-Away Dolls has left me with more questions than anything (for example, what’s with that Margaret Qualley accent?), but I’m still interested in seeing the film simply because it’s directed by Ethan Coen and has a ton of familiar faces in it.
Post-Screening Ramble:
I wouldn’t say that Drive-Away Dolls is bad … but it’s not exactly good either. The story follows two young ladies – Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) – who desperately need to get out of town, so they grab what’s called a drive-away car. If you don’t know, this is a thing where you drive a vehicle wherever someone needs it to go and you don’t have to pay for it. What a deal, except for the fact that they’re accidentally given a car that has something nefarious hidden in the trunk and the original owners (i.e. bad guys) will do whatever it takes to get it back.
Oddly enough, this movie actually feels like it was made by only one of the Coen brothers. The quirky, weird, comedic side of, say, Burn After Reading or Fargo is on full display here but it’s not counter-balanced by any of the great dialogue or clever plot points from those films. Things also aren’t helped by the movie’s super short runtime of just over 80 minutes, as nothing – the characters, the story, you – ever has a chance to really settle into place. On the bright side, this is one of those times where the issues at hand present a total “your mileage may vary” type situation. On my end, I think the film would have played better had there been more to it, but if you’re just wanting something that’s wacky and will be over before you know it, you may really dig Drive-Away Dolls. Good luck!
The film hits theaters this Friday, February 23.
One Last Thought:
Margaret Qualley’s take on a southern accent glides effortlessly between being terrible and charming.
One More Last Thought:
If you haven’t seen The Broken Hearts Gallery, you should give it a go. Geraldine Viswanathan stars in it as well – alongside Dacre Montgomery (from Stranger Things) – and it’s a totally charming little rom-com.
