"Drive My Car": Movie Review
Written By Alex Greenbaum
Each year there are few films that are clearly among the best. 2021 was a year with many high quality film releases that tested the boundaries of each genre. Director/writer Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's "Drive My Car" is a special road trip. Each character exists not to create their own melodrama, but to thoughtfully analyze what it means to be human. At three hours long, there isn't a scene that doesn't hold meaning, and as a testament to the quality is just how quickly the packed runtime flies by. "Drive My Car" is my choice as the best film of 2021 and is much deserving of its best picture nomination for an Academy Award.
After an unexpected event changes an actor's life, an offer to direct a production of Chekhov's play, "Uncle Vanya," leads his life into a series of twists and turns. Throughout his journey of loneliness, he runs into a colorful cast of characters that further define our protagonist's demeanor. We don't necessarily learn who these people are through their dialogue, but rather through actions and reactions. This concept makes every interaction flow with a realism that doesn't exist in most American dramas. With barely any musical score, it gives viewers a chance to focus on those minute details that add much layering to each personality present.
Patience is key with Hamaguchi and Takamasa Oe's script. Some might not feel necessarily rewarded for 3 hours of focusing, but fans of quiet character studies won't be impatient. Absorbing each conversation or relishing in the cinematography and Japanese landscape was a meditative experience. When tragedy strikes there aren't the emotional climaxes we have come to expect in American film making. Death, loss, isolation, etc., are treated with a matter-of-fact stoic nature that is infused in Japanese culture and is beautiful to watch unfold on the big screen.
And the sexual moments in the film add to the narrative's purpose. It is not gratuitous and pushes the story forward with gravitas. Every moving part contributes to a greater purpose and it might take multiple viewings to connect all the puzzle pieces given to the viewer. This methodical approach to storytelling reinforces that rewarding structure, especially when the entire film is reflected on.
"Drive My Car" is a quintessential piece of Japanese cinema. The dialog remains thoughtful throughout, with rarely any hiccups to criticize. It deserves the highest accolades since there is no film in 2021 that has exceeded its stunning qualities.
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