Drive-Away Dolls Review

Drive-Away Dolls is a deliriously fun and refreshingly queer romp that reimagines classic noir and road movie tropes through a candy-colored, campy lens. Directed by Ethan Coen, in collaboration with screenwriter Tricia Cooke, this film offers a chaotic and vibrant journey filled with humor, sapphic energy, and sly commentary on genre conventions. While undeniably playful, Drive-Away Dolls carries an undercurrent of affection for its influences, from pulp fiction to queer punk aesthetics, resulting in a film that feels both nostalgic and thoroughly modern.

The story follows two mismatched lesbian friends on a haphazard road trip to Tallahassee. Jamie (Margaret Qualley) is a free-spirited troublemaker who never met a boundary she couldn’t cross, while Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) is her reserved, no-nonsense counterpart. Jamie ropes Marian into the journey, framing it as a chance to escape their troubles — Jamie’s string of broken hearts and Marian’s self-imposed restraint. However, their plans derail when they accidentally end up with a car containing a mysterious briefcase, putting them in the crosshairs of an eccentric criminal network. Along the way, the pair encounters shady motels, lesbian bars, and more chaos than they bargained for.

At its core, Drive-Away Dolls is a love letter to genre filmmaking, effortlessly weaving together elements of screwball comedy, noir, and road trip cinema. The film’s humor is delightfully absurd, from the blown-out tire that interrupts their highway cruise to the antics of bumbling criminals tailing their Dodge Aries. The dialogue crackles with wit, blending Coen-esque zaniness with the sharp sass of queer culture. Even the setting — Florida, with its reputation for eccentricity — becomes a character, infusing the story with a sense of unhinged unpredictability.

Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan anchor the film with exceptional chemistry. Qualley shines as Jamie, delivering a performance brimming with chaotic energy and comedic timing. Her exaggerated Southern drawl and devil-may-care attitude make her a magnetic presence, balancing humor with moments of genuine vulnerability. Viswanathan, as Marian, is the perfect foil, embodying her character’s initial rigidity while skillfully navigating her arc of self-discovery. Together, they create a dynamic duo whose evolving friendship forms the heart of the film.

Visually, Drive-Away Dolls dazzles with its slick cinematography by Ari Wegner. Eschewing the shadowy aesthetic of traditional noir, the film opts for neon hues and bright, waxy imagery, creating a world that feels both vibrant and surreal. The camera moves with playful energy, matching the film’s irreverent tone. A mix of offbeat angles and stylized sequences heightens the absurdity, transforming the most mundane moments into cinematic delights. Even the film’s occasional psychedelic transitions, while jarring at first, eventually contribute to its dreamlike quality.

One of the film’s standout elements is its unabashed queerness. Unlike many mainstream movies that shy away from embracing LGBTQ+ characters, Drive-Away Dolls places Jamie and Marian’s queerness at the forefront without turning it into a plot device. Their dynamic is refreshingly authentic, capturing the nuances of queer friendships and relationships. The film also offers a satisfying critique of gender and power, with its female protagonists deftly outmaneuvering the inept men pursuing them.

Despite its many strengths, the film isn’t without flaws. The opening scenes take some time to find their rhythm, and the plot occasionally feels secondary to the film’s stylistic flourishes. However, these minor shortcomings are easily forgiven in light of the sheer joy and creativity on display.

Drive-Away Dolls is a breath of fresh air in a landscape often dominated by formulaic blockbusters. It’s a film that revels in its own silliness while delivering sharp commentary on the genres it pays homage to. With its irresistible blend of humor, heart, and high camp, Ethan Coen’s latest outing is a celebration of queer chaos and the freedom of the open road. Whether you’re a fan of the Coen brothers’ signature style, a devotee of queer cinema, or just in search of a good laugh, Drive-Away Dolls is a ride worth taking.