The trailer for Drive-Away Dolls, directed by Ethan Coen, made me highly anticipate viewing the film since 2023, when it was first scheduled to open. With the fabulous cast attached to the film, it was hard not to want to view what this crime comedy is about and what is in the darned silver briefcase. This movie is Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut and is co-written with screenwriter Tricia Cooke. There is no doubt that some people will enjoy the humor in this film more than others, but there is plenty to laugh about with the excellent cast that appears fully invested in having fun with the roles they are portraying, no matter how long or short their scenes are. I would enjoy a slightly longer film with a few more scenes by some of the stars because the 84-minute running time just left me wanting more.
Synopsis: This comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her timid friend Marian, who desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
Jamie (Margaret Qualley, “Maid” TV series, Once Upon a Time …in Hollywood) was just booted out of the relationship she has with Sukie (Beanie Feldstein – excellent in her role as a cop), and it was not an amicable breakup. Jamie talks to her good friend, Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan, The Broken Hearts Gallery), who is going to Florida, inserting herself in the plan to use this trip to get out of town. Of course, Jamie has her agenda and manages to change the course of the route to Tallahassee. The two have significantly different personalities, which is a big part of the humor in their scenes.
The car they acquire from Curlie (Bill Camp) is scheduled to go to Tallahassee, so he releases it to them (not knowing they are not the drivers assigned by “The Chief” (Colman Domingo). When the mobster arrives with a pair of minions set to drive (played by Joey Slotnick and C.J. Wilson), things don’t go well for Curlie. Since the mobsters need the vehicle’s contents, the “chase” begins with some zany characters and their mismatched car companions in this two-car road trip. What could be so important in that case? I won’t reveal the contents, but it fits 2024 as this is a political year.
Cast: Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Connie Jackson, Annie Gonzalez, Sam Vartholomeos, Samsara Leela Yett, Layne Lazor, and Abby Hilden.
Rated R for crude sexual content, full nudity, language, and some violent content.
Opens in theaters nationwide on February 23
Source: Focus Features