Every now and then there is a film that gets very little publicity in the main press but causes a stir amongst film goers , generally after it's been played at festivals. Drive My Car is one such movie .
This was Adapted from a short story in Murakami Haruki's "Men Without Women". Its initially about a director's wife , a playwright , and a great storyteller who then dies of a brain aneurism . Her husband is invited to direct a play at a festival in Hiroshima and is told he has to have a driver . He then finds his female chauffeur to be much more than he was expecting . The two become closer and as they eventually talk, secrets and confessions are exchanged.
I can see why people really loved this film. I've heard it described as a true masterpiece and the best film of the decade and while I really liked it , I can't really agree with those sentiments , as there are definitely things wrong with it.
What I really liked about this film is the pace of the dialogue ( outside of the rehearsal scenes ) . The way the characters told their stories , especially the one about the girl who visits a boys house and leaves tokens , was fascinating. I loved the interactions and relationship building .
In fact it's a film about relationships and how these deal with their own personal grief.
The one problem I have with the film is that it's set around a Chekhov play called Uncle Vanya and we sit through the constant auditions . I understand the scenes are their to introduce us to the characters but there is way too much of it and it makes the film feel weighty and baggy at times . Unless you are a Chekhov fan that is !
I watched this in a BFI screening in London and despite how much I enjoyed the movie , I found sitting there for over three hours , really hard work .
This may just be a film that is better suited to home viewing .
I think this is one of those films that will stick in my mind for some time and maybe I will adjust my rating because of that .
This was Adapted from a short story in Murakami Haruki's "Men Without Women". Its initially about a director's wife , a playwright , and a great storyteller who then dies of a brain aneurism . Her husband is invited to direct a play at a festival in Hiroshima and is told he has to have a driver . He then finds his female chauffeur to be much more than he was expecting . The two become closer and as they eventually talk, secrets and confessions are exchanged.
I can see why people really loved this film. I've heard it described as a true masterpiece and the best film of the decade and while I really liked it , I can't really agree with those sentiments , as there are definitely things wrong with it.
What I really liked about this film is the pace of the dialogue ( outside of the rehearsal scenes ) . The way the characters told their stories , especially the one about the girl who visits a boys house and leaves tokens , was fascinating. I loved the interactions and relationship building .
In fact it's a film about relationships and how these deal with their own personal grief.
The one problem I have with the film is that it's set around a Chekhov play called Uncle Vanya and we sit through the constant auditions . I understand the scenes are their to introduce us to the characters but there is way too much of it and it makes the film feel weighty and baggy at times . Unless you are a Chekhov fan that is !
I watched this in a BFI screening in London and despite how much I enjoyed the movie , I found sitting there for over three hours , really hard work .
This may just be a film that is better suited to home viewing .
I think this is one of those films that will stick in my mind for some time and maybe I will adjust my rating because of that .