317 words, 2 minutes read time.
In this bawdy, trashy, road trip caper, Ethan Coen (of the famous Coen Brothers duo) sets off in a wild new direction. Newly single Jamie (played by Margaret Qualley) impulsively joins her friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) on a road trip to Florida. Little do they know that their rental car harbours an ominous briefcase – one that people are willing to kill for.
Jamie, an incorrigible horndog with an accent that sounds like Tommy Lee Jones on fast-forward, and buttoned-up Marian embark on a path to Florida. Their rented car carries unexpected cargo. Hot on their trail are a pair of hitmen, Arliss and Flint, reminiscent of Fargo’s chatterbox/misanthrope pairing. Meanwhile, a loquacious wiseacre (think O Brother, Where Art Thou’s Ulysses Everett McGill) stays one step ahead of them. The banter between the hitmen is one of the funniest parts of the movie.
Set on the eve of Y2K, the twilight of Clintonism, and the eve of a conservative resurgence, “Drive-Away Dolls” explores fresh territory for the Coenverse. It’s as novel as a sense of humor dumbed-down enough to allow for a sight gag involving a tiny, humping dog. The film balances its libido-drunk wild goose chase with jabs at American political pathologies, all while maintaining its signature Coen-esque quirkiness.
If you are offended by Lesbian sexuality and sex this isn’t the film for you!
Verdict: “Drive-Away Dolls” is a movie that doesn’t take itself seriously, not even a little bit. It’s an off-color comedy where everyone is a goofball or a bumbling rube. The goons constantly bungle the chase, Jamie can’t stop talking about cunnilingus and her vulva, and even the straitlaced Marian gets into trouble with her attitude. If you’re up for a wild ride filled with laughs, unexpected twists, and a dash of absurdity, buckle up and hit the road with the “Drive-Away Dolls”!
Reviewed by Pat Harrington
Picture credit: By http://www.impawards.com/2024/driveaway_dolls_ver3.html, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=74117062
