While his brother Joel was able to branch out with 2021’s superb The Tragedy of Macbeth, now it’s Ethan Coen’s turn to take a run at a solo venture in the director’s chair away from their legendary partnership as the Coen brothers, teaming up with co-writer Tricia Cooke for a dramedy that tries to mix thrills with the absurd.
In Drive-Away Dolls, we ride along with Jamie (Margaret Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) 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.
The premise of Drive-Away Dolls seem prime for camp and Coen leans all the way into it with his direction, going full steam ahead with all the exaggerated comedy and goofiness that will accentuate the film’s story. Qualley’s horny and assertive Jamie is at once over the top, but an entertaining watch that balances well with Marian as the stick in the mud straight (figuratively speaking, of course) woman. The film’s villains are equally absurd and exaggerated in a way that conveys their threat to the girls while not feeling ominous or dangerous in totality. The film’s MacGuffin draws inspiration from the briefcase in Pulp Fiction with a humorous twist once its contents are revealed.
While the premise of the film is played for laughs, what would have helped Drive-Away Dolls come across more strongly is a stronger comedic element in the script through gags rather than a chase thriller that is conveyed in a silly way. Aside from Jamie, nearly everyone else in the film is playing it straight but comes across absurdly, giving the film an uneven tone that ultimately makes the audience feel as if they’re watching something goofy rather than funny.
Despite the dial on its campiness being turned up to 11, Drive-Away Dolls is decently entertaining in a midnight movie drive-in kind of way. Margaret Qually and Geraldine Viswanathan bounce back and forth off of each other well with a convincing friendship dynamic that makes their scenes together interesting, even if the film itself doesn’t work fully. Add in some quirky scene transitions and Drive-Away Dolls has its moments even if they don’t make for a quality experience in full.
Image: Focus Features
