Film Review: ‘Daddio’ Has Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn Talking It Out During a Long Cab Ride

Two handers set in a single location have a high bar to clear. After all, not only do you need to tell a compelling story, you need to have a pair of actors audiences want to watch for 90 minutes plus. That doesn’t even take into account figuring out a look to the film so it never feels overly static. While Daddio doesn’t reinvent the wheel here, the movie manages to do more than enough right to not only warrant its existence, but provide a compelling cinematic experience.

Daddio manages to keep your interest with a pair of strong performances, the occasional shocking moment, and an underlying sweetness that cuts through the aura of sleaze it’s dancing with. The casting here does some of that work, but the dialogue has the feel of a game being played between our two characters. Then, it comes to a close in an unexpected manner, which doesn’t quite recalibrate you, but does make you consider what we’ve been listening to and watching.

Returning home from a trip home down south, a woman (Dakota Johnson) hails a cab from the airport. The driver, introducing himself as Clark (Sean Penn), is going on an amusingly grumpy monologue about taxi etiquette. The woman is polite yet distracted, looking at her phone, participating in a text conversation that takes a pornographic turn. That continues, but so does the discussion happening between the front and back seat.

As they sit in traffic, Clark prods her about her life and relationship, though she begins to push back as well. Clark has some rigid thoughts about gender dynamics, but he also correctly deduces that she’s texting with a married lover. The two of them start competing to see what personal detail can throw the other for a loop. Eventually, he’ll have to drop her off, and no one is quite sure what will happen, but as the car gets closer to her home, so real revelations begin.

Dakota Johnson and Sean Penn have a very strong rapport with each other. With really no one else in the cast, it’s up to them to make Daddio work. Luckily, they’re up to the task. Johnson gives her character tons of layers, while Penn mixes a gruff exterior and old-world opinions with what ultimately becomes one of his sweetest characters in some time. When the banter is playful, they volley the dialogue back and forth. When things get deep, they come alive as well. It’s impressive work by both of them.

Writer/director Christy Hall does a solid job preventing boredom or monotony from setting in. Daddio is a deliberately paced film, but the dialogue is snappy, Johnson and Penn are very good, plus there are some sneaky surprises. Hall’s direction, as well as the cinematography from Phedon Papamichael, are more nimble than you might expect. The screenplay hits the occasional bump, but the texting going on has some legitimate surprises. I’m very keen to see what Hall does next.

Daddio is meant to inspire debate and discussion. It’s a chamber piece, yes, but it’s also a conversation starter. If there’s a post screening dialogue going on this weekend in theaters, then the flick is successful. Your mileage may certainly vary, but this little film held my attention and left me in an unexpected place when the credits rolled.

SCORE: ★★★