Drive My Car (2021)

Drive My Car (2021)

A poignant, meandering tale of art, love, and loss

The Very Best

8.9

Movie

Germany, Japan
Cantonese, English, German
Drama
2021
RYUSUKE HAMAGUCHI
Ahn Hwi-tae, Ahn Hwitae, Hidetoshi Nishijima
179 min

What it's about

Yusuke Kafuku, a stage actor and director, still unable, after two years, to cope with the loss of his beloved wife, accepts to direct Uncle Vanya at a theater festival in Hiroshima. There he meets Misaki, an introverted young woman, appointed to drive his car. In between rides, secrets from the past and heartfelt confessions will be unveiled.

The take

In Drive My Car, a widowed artist travels to Hiroshima for his latest production. There he meets a young woman enlisted to drive him around the area. They forge an unexpected bond and soon share pithy observations and long-buried secrets, which culminate in a touching scene of catharsis and forgiveness.

Not a lot is said in this three-hour film, but when words (and signals) are shared, they are always underlaid with simple but transcendent truths. Drive My Car is a gripping film that explores love and loss in its own quiet way, at once intense and intimate.

Comments

People who are looking for an emotional rollercoaster must go for it.

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