Keep it simple. An action story doesn't need plot twists, love interests or emotional depth to produce an effective film. Just a straightforward plot, like The Driver has. Even the credits reveal that we don't need to know names, as if the film had no intention of letting viewers be emotionally invested about any characters. Bruce Dern (The Detective) and Ryan O'Neal (The Driver) excel at keeping their own characters on point; A-type personalities who have been battling each other for months.
They don't want to be likable. They put their heads down and focus on their end game. The Driver shows his mettle through deeds and few words. In one scene, he was compelled to demonstrate his skills. He winds up showing how he could even be skillful at destroying the car to the objections of his passengers. While The Driver is about substance, The Detective boasts more than he delivers. Even when he kills someone The Detective overdoes it.
It's a rat chase where there's zero moral lesson by the time the credits roll, because there is no good guy, only two different people who wind up ignoring the right thing to do in order to get the better of the other. Those who have any moral convictions get ignored and belittled while the main players obsess over each other.
It's interesting how a feature can demonstrate the ability to keep your attention. There is no theme music, and the only time that any music plays at all is when there is no chase. Although some scenes had stunt stand-ins, the actors did most of their own driving and chase sequences. The Driver reminds me in some ways about the Terminator, which perhaps may have been influenced by the story line and cinematography.
Most of the scenes happen at night, which reveal L.A's seedy underbelly. And like Terminator, the prime characters have minimal dialog, speaking only when they really need. Even some of the vehicles used in The Driver looked similar to those in Terminator.
The Driver is a great action flick which shows how films can be made again, without all the fluff, high moral ground and theme songs. The result? Entertaining mayhem, filled with twisted bumpers and shredded fenders.
They don't want to be likable. They put their heads down and focus on their end game. The Driver shows his mettle through deeds and few words. In one scene, he was compelled to demonstrate his skills. He winds up showing how he could even be skillful at destroying the car to the objections of his passengers. While The Driver is about substance, The Detective boasts more than he delivers. Even when he kills someone The Detective overdoes it.
It's a rat chase where there's zero moral lesson by the time the credits roll, because there is no good guy, only two different people who wind up ignoring the right thing to do in order to get the better of the other. Those who have any moral convictions get ignored and belittled while the main players obsess over each other.
It's interesting how a feature can demonstrate the ability to keep your attention. There is no theme music, and the only time that any music plays at all is when there is no chase. Although some scenes had stunt stand-ins, the actors did most of their own driving and chase sequences. The Driver reminds me in some ways about the Terminator, which perhaps may have been influenced by the story line and cinematography.
Most of the scenes happen at night, which reveal L.A's seedy underbelly. And like Terminator, the prime characters have minimal dialog, speaking only when they really need. Even some of the vehicles used in The Driver looked similar to those in Terminator.
The Driver is a great action flick which shows how films can be made again, without all the fluff, high moral ground and theme songs. The result? Entertaining mayhem, filled with twisted bumpers and shredded fenders.