One of the funniest comedies of 2024 didn’t get the love it deserved when it was first released, but it could be just a matter of time before it finds its audience and becomes a cult classic. Although it’s usually difficult to anticipate which movies will achieve cult status, some offbeat films just seem naturally suited to the tag.
A lot has been said about the decline of Hollywood comedies, as the genre has become less commercially viable and overall less popular in recent years. This makes it even more disappointing when a great comedy manages to fly under the radar. Fortunately, a poor initial showing doesn’t necessarily condemn a movie to obscurity forever.
Drive-Away Dolls Deserves A Lot More Love Than It Got
Ethan Coen’s First Solo Outing Was A Box Office Flop
AlthoughDrive-Away Dollsmade just $7.9 million at the box office, it deserves much more attention. Joel Coens first movie without his brother Ethan beside him showed that he was probably the one behind the duos fixation with crime comedies. Indeed,Drive-Away Dollsshares common DNA with many of thebest Coen brothers movies, likeFargoandRaising Arizona.
WhileDrive-Away Dollshas a lot in common with old Coen brothers classics, Ethan clearly has his own agenda. He doesn’t seem too interested in depth and pathos inDrive-Away Dolls,preferring instead to develop a proudly silly crime caper with a freewheeling sense of adventure. By contrast, Joel Coen madeThe Tragedy of Macbeth.
Drive-Away Dollsis a zany, unpredictable comedy that packs a lot of humor into its slender runtime. Margaret Qualley delivers a fun performance, but she’s just one part of a great cast that also includes Colman Domingo, Beanie Feldstein and Geraldine Viswanathan.There are surprising cameos too, from Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal and Miley Cyrus.
One other thing that Coen carries over from his previous movies is a sense of style. The music, framing and psychedelic interludes inDrive-Away Dollsmake it a relentlessly entertaining affair, but its quirks are also an essential part of its identity. It’s intentionally provocative and intriguing in the best way.
Drive-Away Dolls Is Already Getting A Spiritual Sequel
Ethan Coen And Margaret Qualley Are Teaming Up Again
Ethan Coen describedDrive-Away Dollsas the first part in his planned “lesbian B-movie trilogy”, and the second part is on the horizon.Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza and Charlie Day will join Qualley inHoney Don’t,which looks like another queer crime comedy about a detective’s investigation into a charismatic cult leader.
WithHoney Don’tand a potential third entry in Coen’s trilogy on the way,Drive-Away Dollscould finally reach the kind of audience that it deserves. It was never the kind of movie that has huge mainstream appeal, but it’s quirky, queer and lighthearted, which gives it a good chance of resonating with certain people.
Drive-Away Dolls
Cast
From director Ethan Coen comes Drive-Away Dolls, a comedic road-show-styled film that stars two best friends that head out on a road trip that goes hilariously awry. Following Jamie’s recent break-up and her friend Marian’s inflexibility hitting its peak, the two decide to hit the road to Florida - until they accidentally run into a group of bumbling criminals.
