Director: Ethan Coen

Stars: Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Pedro Pascal, Matt Damon, Colman Domingo, Beanie Feldstein

The Coen Brothers roll call of cinematic hits include No Country For Old Men, Fargo, The Big Lebowski, True Grit, the list goes on. So the coo around Drive-Away Dolls, Ethan Coen’s first solo venture sans big brother Joel, is understandable. Described as a 90s, screwball, queer, crime caper, road trip movie – it’s all wrapped up in an economical 84 minutes. And I am here for it. Nobody, least of all my bladder, wants to sit through a 3hr+ movie.

Drive-Away Dolls weighs a lot heavier on the screwball (I’m talking psychedelic segues featuring Miley Cyrus), sex (it’s not one to watch with your elders or youngers) and, surprisingly, plaster cast penises, than it does on anything else. It is however colourful, sweaty, horny, bawdy and an absolute riot which, refreshingly, places a non-traditional lesbian romance front and centre, and for that it should be applauded.

Two plot lines run concurrently throughout the movie until they collide in an explosive, girls-have-all-the-power-finale. The first and main story arc follows fun-loving, free spirited Jamie (Margaret Qualley, who deserves a special mention for her Texan accent) and her straight-laced, bookish, bestie, Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan). In need of a fresh start after she’s caught cheating on her ball-busting, cop girlfriend, Sukie (played superbly by Beanie Feldstein), Jamie joins Marian on an impromptu road trip from Philadelphia to Tallahassee. The girls use a drive-away service where they pick up and deliver a car to their destination – little realising someone had left a suspicious suitcase in the trunk.

This brings me to the second plot line; the suitcase and the men who’ll die trying to protect its plaster cast contents. Santos, a flamboyant dealer of sorts (Pedro Pascal), three bungling crooks (Joey Slotnick, CJ Wilson and Colman Domingo) and The Senator (Matt Damon) who is worried his election bid would be ruined should the case fall into the wrong hands. So ensues a wacky cat and mouse chase, a botched kidnapping, blackmail and plenty of shots fired.

Many critics have expressed their disappointment in not seeing more of Domingo, Damon and Pascal in the movie which I understand, I mean can we ever really have enough Pedro Pascal? But alas, this is no country for old men! Crazy car chases and plaster cast members aside, Drive-Away Dolls is a female relationship movie. Even if it takes an arrest, a failed threesome and snogging an entire women’s soccer team for Jamie and Marian’s oddball chemistry to get the better of them in a particularly fizzy and euphoric scene. That being said, the sheer volume of sex in Drive-Away Dolls will not be for everyone. Though rated a 15, if you have under 18s in the house, proceed with caution.

Writing credits for Drive-Away Dolls is shared between Ethan Coen and his wife and longtime Coen Bros collaborator, Tricia Cooke – and I think it’s her we have to thank for the female focus. Though some similarities can be drawn between Drive-Away Dolls and the Coen Brothers’ joint ventures – sudden bursts of violence, eccentric characters and an overdramatic accent or two, it is best to just enjoy it for what it is – a cheerful, nonsensical, sapphic romp.

Review: Claire Hool