Review by
Sue Finn
Directed by: Brad Baruh, Meghan Leon
Starring: AJ Bowen, Sophie Dalah, Scott Poythress, Nathan Owen
Forty-something rideshare driver Russell (AJ Bowen) is having a
typical night on the job. Though it's Christmas time, so he’s being extra
helpful to his customers, assisting with wreaths etc and generally being
an all-round good bloke.
A job comes through on his phone and before he knows it, he is picking up
a young woman called Charlotte (a winning Sophie Dalah) who
immediately makes herself comfortable and questions his lack of snacks. He
tells her he’s charming instead.
She asks him to break the rules and he does, for the money she slides
across to him from the backseat.
After taking Charlotte to the house of her ex to recover some property,
they find themselves propping up a bar and discussing their disparate
lives. He seems to be enjoying breaking the rules with her and jumps
headlong into the adventures she offers.
Back on the road, it’s not long before they accidentally hit someone with
the car, and then are thrown together for the rest of the night as they
scramble to deal with the aftermath.
Three-quarters through, the film throws a curveball with Charlotte
revealing she possesses something that allows her a certain amount of
power, and though she uses it mischievously and childishly, Russell’s
decision with regards to this smacks of unearned judgement and sanctimony.
Nevertheless, it’s his choices that lead to the finale.
This film wants to be a thriller/comedy/sci-fi and contorts itself into a
pretzel to make it work.
It ends on a particularly sour note that didn’t sit right with me at all;
there were some patriarchal undertones that bothered me.
Both leads are personable and naturalistic, bringing realism to each
character.
I enjoyed the Christmas theme a lot. I’ve always delighted in dark festive
stories and the juxtaposition of carols and violence has always struck me
as delicious.
The direction by Meghan Leon and Brad Baruh offers some nice
city shots and an Edgar Wright vibe to the proceedings when it’s all
gelling well and we are montaging. Unfortunately, though it strives for a
breezy horror comedy, it doesn’t quite hit the mark and there’s something
disconcertingly just-off about it. Though its runtime is a pleasing one
hour and 20 minutes, it doesn’t make the most of that time. The ‘twist’
should have been introduced sooner because as it is it feels rushed and
there isn’t enough time to explore the possibilities it ushers in; the
characters should have been more likable, the Christmas theme more fully
embraced and a few extra hijinks along the way wouldn’t have gone astray.
The ideas are there and the acting is good, it has a slick professional
look that belies its indie budget, and the locations are also put to good
use for the most part; but it adds up to less than the sum of its parts.
Not a bad movie, but it didn’t quite work for me. I’ll catch the next
ride.
Night Drive is in US cinemas and on
VOD now. It will have its UK premiere at FrightFest on August 26th.
