Since the main characters in the Coen brothers’ films are typically all-male in films like “The Big Lebowski” and “No Country for Old Men,” one might assume that their fanbase would be mostly male. But in Ethan Coen’s solo directorial debut, “Driveaway Dolls,” he caters to a new audience: lesbians.
This surprise to the male Coen fans left them gasping and quickly leaving the theater, with two-thirds of the audience leaving at my showing on opening weekend.
“Driveaway Dolls” is about two lesbians: Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Jamie (Margaret Qualley) who set off on a road trip to Tallahassee, Florida. When it is revealed that their rental car contains Pedro Pascal’s head, the two get into trouble with a group of criminals run by ‘Chief’ (Academy-award-nominated Colman Domingo.)
Jamie and Marian are stereotypical polar opposites, the uptight one and the carefree one — similar to the dynamic in other popular female-led road trip comedies such as “Unpregnant” and “Thelma and Louise.” Jamie and Marian truly show the difference between girls who wear bras and girls who don’t.
Qualley proved herself to be a talent in her drama television series “Maid,” but in “Driveaway Dolls” she accesses the new territory of comedic acting. The most memorable aspect of her character was her over-the-top country accent. Although her accent is a bit unbearable, it truly adds to the comedic effect of her character’s lines.
Once again, Domingo was the one who stole the show in this film, despite his very short amount of screen time. With Domingo’s kind personality radiating through his performances, it was automatically hard to accept him as a criminal. Despite this, he did an incredible job as the antagonist in this film, with some of the funniest lines in the whole movie. Out of all the popular drama-focused actors, Domingo could have one of the best careers if he decided to focus on comedy.
It’s not a sapphic comedy without Beanie Feldstein, and in “Driveaway Dolls” Feldstein, as usual, gave a memorable performance despite very little screen time. Feldstein plays Sukie, Jamie’s heartbroken ex, who happens to be a cop. Sukie becomes intertwined with Jamie and Marian’s issues when the criminals visit her about Jamie. The comedic talent runs in the family with Feldstein’s brother, Jonah Hill, starring in numerous infamous comedic films such as “Superbad” and “21 Jump Street.” With Feldstein’s comedic performances in “Driveaway Dolls, ” “Booksmart” and “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising,” it is safe to say that Hill has some competition in the family.
While the comedic aspects of the film struck the audience well, the quality of the film feels as if A-listers decided to star in a student project. It was very rushed and stuck to the point. The character’s storylines were very underdeveloped, with viewers leaving the film knowing little to nothing about the character’s backstories. The film barely explains the character’s motivations for heading to Tallahassee other than Marian saying that she was visiting her aunt. The film also fails to explain how the characters know each other, and how long they have known each other. The most basic needs for building a story were lost in this 84-minute-long film.
The overall style of this film pays homage to the iconic style of 70s raunchy comedies.
One of the most unique aspects of the film was the transitions from the perspective of the girls’ road trip to the criminal’s search for them. The screen not only often slid (as often seen in 70s comedies) but there were short 70s psychedelic visions shown as the film transitions the perspective. Some of the visions include a spinning pizza with political symbols, Miley Cyrus seducing a young Matt Damon, and otherworldly creatures dancing. These visions left viewers in my theater saying “What the f*** am I watching?” The visions added a fun throwback to the 70s era of experimental filmmaking, and therefore a unique and visually pleasing addition to a comedic film.
Coen co-wrote this film with his wife, Tricia Cooke, and they have a relationship about as unique as this movie. Cooke and Coen have been married since 1990 with two kids, but Cooke identifies as a lesbian. In an interview with MovieMaker magazine Coen stated, “We have a very non-traditional marriage and relationship where there’s a bigger unit; I have a partner and Ethan has another partner.” In an interview with ABC News, she said, “I kind of represent the queer world. All of the bumbling men in the movie and all of the caper stuff definitely comes from Ethan’s mind.” In “Driveaway Dolls,” the couple combines their two worlds: Coen’s world of crime films and Cooke’s world of queer comedy.
This film is not for everyone, with an overload of female nudity and the usage of dildos as the main weapon in the film. But, if you love sapphic films or 70s-style R-rated comedy, this film is perfect for you. “Driveaway Dolls” wins the prize for the most over-the-top film of the year, even beating the famously inappropriate “Saltburn.” “Driveaway Dolls” takes Campy to the next level.
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