Film Review: ‘Drive-Away Dolls’ is a Fun and Loose Road Trip Action/Comedy Hybrid

I’m that rare beast who doesn’t always love the Coen Brothers. So, when the pair split up to make their own projects, I was perhaps more intrigued than sad. After all, maybe they had more distinctive tastes than we realized? Well, that was quite the understatement, as Joel Coen opted to get real classy with The Tragedy of Macbeth. What did Ethan Coen make? Well, if any of you had a lesbian road trip action comedy on your dance card, you’re quite perceptive. That’s what Drive-Away Dolls is, in short, closer to Judd Apatow than OG Coen Brothers. Lo and behold, Coen has also made an incredibly fun, raunchy, and even sexy film that grew on me the longer it went on. It ends up being a movie that made me laugh as much as any other so far this year.

Drive-Away Dolls has a scruffy charm and a winningly juvenile sense of humor that tickled me. There’s a nice gradual elevation of the jokes that proves effective, especially considering where things go. Coen also isn’t afraid to be make things get sexy on occasion, which blends this genre mashup into something with a bit more meat on its bones than expected.

Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) and Jamie (Margaret Qualley) are best friends. When we meet them, the latter is breaking up with her live-in girlfriend Sukie (Beanie Feldstein) due to her wild lifestyle, while the former is about as uptight as a person can get. They’re definitely a yin and yang type of pair, to say the least. Needing a fresh start, the two plan on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee to see Marian’s aunt. Jamie suggests a drive-away service, which will prove to be a very fateful decision.

Picking up a car meant for someone else, they cross paths with a pair of inept criminals (Joey Slotnick and C.J. Wilson) under the direction of The Chief (Colman Domingo). It turns out, there’s something in the trunk of their car that they really aren’t supposed to be in possession of. What they have is something I wouldn’t dare spoil, but it involves a collector (Pedro Pascal), a Senator (Matt Damon), and a lot of laughs. The third really does go to some wild places, but it’s also the best part of the movie.

Margaret Qualley is a riot here, while Geraldine Viswanathan is a terrific straight-laced opposite. Their chemistry, in all regards, is impeccable. Watching the two of them is a pleasure, with Qualley especially essaying a memorable comedic character. There’s some funny back and forth dialogue between Joey Slotnick and C.J. Wilson, even if their story wraps up a bit abruptly. Colman Domingo is a bit wasted, though clearly having fun. As for Beanie Feldstein, she goes big and is a bit one-note, but there’s plenty of humor there as well. Matt Damon and Pedro Pascal are essentially cameos, though fun ones, to be sure. Supporting players include Bill Camp, Miley Cyrus (a cameo), Annie Gonzalez, Connie Jackson, and more.

Ethan Coen directs a script he penned with his wife Tricia Cooke, and while there’s some light Coen quirk, this is very much its own beast. Coen’s direction is fairly simple (with no frills cinematography by Ari Wegner), though one very arty decision is utterly baffling for much of the film, until it makes perfect sense towards the end. The music by Carter Burwell fits the material well, alongside its chill vibe. This isn’t high art, but it’s definitely made with care.

Drive-Away Dolls really amused me. If it’s a bit of a lark, it’s still well-made and made me laugh from start to finish. With one of the funnier third acts this year, it’s hard not to be pleased with what Ethan Coen has cooked up here. The Coen Brothers may be reuniting soon, but this is my preferred solo project, in all of its silly glory.

SCORE: ★★★