This film is one that lacks a plot that scratches deeper than surface level. With a great cast of actors, the movie had the potential to be great but instead comes off as unfunny and offensive. Not only is the style of film completely different than the editing in the trailer, but it sells the film as something entirely different than what it is, while simultaneously showing off the whole movie in the two minute trailer.
Synopsis
Two friends embark on a spontaneous road trip to Tallahassee, Fla., using a drive-away car service. Things go awry when the girls realize they are being hunted by a group of criminals for things they didn't mean to take with them in their drive-away car.
Starring Geraldine Viswanathan as Marian, Margaret Qualley as Jamie, Beanie Feldstein as Sukie, with cameos from Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, and Miley Cyrus.
Highs
Viswanathan's character is one of the few redeeming qualities of the film. Marian is a relatable shy character who reads books about love, and wants something more (and is the only likable character in the entire film). Viswanathan’s quirks, mannerisms and personality sell the role, despite the lackluster script
Lows
The biggest crime in this film is how lesbian sexuality is portrayed throughout. Thinking this film would be a good representation of a queer relationship dynamic, when it’s alluded to in the trailer as such, it does the absolute opposite and makes the movie almost unbearable at parts. I felt like I was watching how men think lesbian women act versus how they actually act. The whole plot of the movie only works because they're gay women, and it’s not even a good plot for that, it's actually demeaning. This film feels written by a boy who doesn't understand how lesbian relationships work, and it feels made for the straight audience, not queer. Plastered phallic objects litter the movie for no real purpose at all, other than to sell the point of the paper thin plot that feels held together by pick up sticks.
Qualley's character, Jamie, fails to excite at all. Qualley does a good job in other acting roles but in this film sports an unbearable, uncommon southern accent that distracts throughout the entire film. The chemistry between the two main characters feels stagnant and forced at points. Overall, Jamie comes off as distracting, and disconnected from the plot.
Transitions feel disjointed throughout the film. We are met by psychedelic transitions and theming, but only in transitions until our conclusion. For such a big act of making a transition to bright colors, and putting yourself into the 70s type feel, it distracts from the plot because of the lack of context for these transitions. These transitions are used throughout the film as a foreshadowing for the ending, but being so disjointed from how the rest of the film is made just makes them difficult to like.
Verdict
While the film's length is only an hour and 24 minutes long, it feels like a whole three hour production with how much this movie drags. I wanted to love this movie, but with terrible low ball humor, horrible representation and a paper thin plot line, this movie has little to no watch factor.
I give "Drive-Away Dolls" a 1.5 out of 10.
