Love is a Sleigh Ride to Hell - ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ Film Review
by William Lindus
Diving into Ethan Coen's solo debut, Drive-Away Dolls, with the expectation of being blown away might set you up for a bit of a letdown. Describing this film as merely "good" feels almost like a backhanded compliment, given the Coen Brothers pedigree.
Drive-Away Dolls stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan as a pair of lesbian best friends who need desperately to relax; Qualley plays Jamie, whose sexual escapades have lead her to be dumped by her girlfriend, while Viswanathan’s Marian is feeling tightly wound and needs to get away for a bit. They find themselves in the front seats of a borrowed car on a sapphic road trip to Tallahassee that soon becomes as much about dodging bullets as it is about dodging relationship labels. Their dynamic is the main event, a tantalizing mix of friendship and something more, with enough sparks to light up the night sky—or at least the screen in front of you.
The film's detour into crime drama territory, led by Colman Domingo's killer performance as crime boss The Chief, is a rocky transition. These segments, which aim to inject a dose of Coen-brand quirky adrenaline and intrigue, sometimes feel more like speed bumps, disrupting the film's true calling as a tale of friendship and discovery.
The breezy 84 minute runtime is a blessing and a curse; it keeps the Drive-Away Dolls from collapsing under its own weight, but it also makes scenes feel too brisk to fully land. The resulting sprint that pits our leading ladies against a backdrop of crime caper antics that, frankly, could have used a bit more juice. The presence of Pedro Pascal and Matt Damon adds a sprinkle of star power, though their roles feel like missed opportunities to add depth to the otherwise shallow waters of criminal intrigue.
What really makes this flick pop is the undeniable chemistry between Qualley and Viswanathan. Their interplay, a delightful dance of comedic timing and emotional depth, channels the spirit of Booksmart on a wild ride down the eastern coast. It's their journey, punctuated by self-discovery and raucous laughter, that keeps us buckled in, even as the plot veers into the realm of the absurd.
Speaking of plot, the big mystery—a case hidden in the trunk with contents that propel the narrative into ludicrous territory—serves up some laughs but ultimately feels like a McGuffin that's more about the chase than the catch. It's an odd detour that might leave you scratching your head, wondering if the real treasure was the friends we made along the way (spoiler: it is).
Yet, despite its flaws, Drive-Away Dolls has its heart in the right place. Ethan Coen might not have struck gold on his first solo outing, but he's certainly unearthed some gems in Qualley and Viswanathan. Their on-screen bond is a reminder of the power of connection, even in the face of absurdity and danger.
Drive-Away Dolls is like that quirky, unexpected guest at a party—you're not sure what to make of them at first, but they end up being undeniably entertaining. It's a film that doesn't quite live up to the Coen legacy, but it's a road trip worth taking for the scenery alone (read: Qualley and Viswanathan's performances). So, grab some popcorn and lower your expectations a notch; this ride is all about the company, not the destination. And in the end, isn't that what the best road trips are all about?
3 out of 5 Bear Paws