The social media embargo has lifted on Ethan Coen’s “Drive-Away Dolls.” I still can’t write a review, so I’ll just have to post what I wrote on X:
“DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS: A wild tribute to b-movies, zany road trips, with a very retro vibe and absurdly quick pace (84 minutes). Coen-esque, but goofier and more straight-shooting than most of their other comedies.”
“Over-the-top sex, violence and theatrics. The cast is great, so many noteworthy cameos. Not much substance to the whole thing — just a good time at the movies. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan have chemistry to spare.”
There is also a major obsession with the female body in this one. I’m actually not sure if that was Coen’s doing or Cooke’s, but it’s a very horny movie. Joel and Ethan were never as infatuated by the female anatomy as in here.
So, yes, it’s not primo Coen, by any stretch, but I enjoyed it and it’s just a really fun time at the movies. Ari Wegner is the DP here and I really wished Coen regulars Delbonnel or Deakins could have lensed this one. It just doesn’t look the same. That depth-filled, and colourful, crispness to the frames is sorely missing. Coen and Cooke instead opted for a more grungy B-movie look.
Here’s the official synopsis:
Written by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, this comedy caper follows Jamie, an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure 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. Directed by Ethan Coen.
The cast assembled for Coen’s film is great: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, Bill Camp and Matt Damon. They’re all wonderful here. Not a missed note.
Coen and his wife Tricia Cooke initially wrote the screenplay in the mid-2000s as a “Russ Meyer-inspired romp” that was initially supposed to be directed by Allison Anders (“Gas Food Lodging”).
“Drive-Away Dolls” is set for theatrical release on February 23. The review embargo lifts on February 21st.
Cooke and Coen are going to direct the second film of their planned B-movie lesbian trilogy. The next one is called “Honey Don’t” and it’ll star Aubrey Plaza, Chris Evans and Qualley. A March production date is set for that one.