The Coen brothers, Joel and Ethan, have proven to be masters of their own craft when working together. Their distinct style of irreverant, dark humor, captivating stories and incredible characters are iconic. Yet, somehow, like a Hollywood Yin and Yang, one does not operate as well without the other. Joel’s darker, serious tones (as seen in his 2021 solo venture The Tragedy of Macbeth) contrast well with Ethan’s generally intelligent humor and unique characters. 2024’s Drive Away Dolls highlights both the strengths and weaknesses of the latter Coen brother in this way.
The film follows the story of Jamie (Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), two lesbian friends living in 1990’s Philadelphia who both decide to take a road trip down to Tallahasee. Upon receipt of their drive away rental vehicle, the two embark on a series of escapades while followed by a bumbling criminal group who believe them to have accidentally stolen some goods of theirs.
What I appreciate most in Drive Away Dolls is how well it deals with everyday issues that lesbian women encounter, while simultaneosly portraying them as a mixed, diverse group with different personalities. So many films can so easily fall into stereotypical traits: flashy, butch, flamboyant and promiscuous. Drive Away Dolls shows us that they, instead, come in all shapes and sizes, true to life. While Jamie is incredibly boisterous and promiscuous, Marian is very reserved, and their dynamic together works incredibly well.
The movie works best when Marian and Jamie are going through their wacky encounters on the road. The addition of the crime storyline binds things together, but ultimately makes it weaker. Maybe that’s a testament to the chemistry Qualley and Viswanathan have together, but I loved when they were on screen together. Couple that with the distinct, grounded Coen visual style, and it was certainly an easy watch that was pleasant on the eyes.
That’s not to say the film is bad either. It’s quite funny in fact. Coen obviously has a knack for blending dark humor with wacky situations in a way only a Coen can. From boxes of famous adult toys to female soccer teams macking on each other, it’s just out there enough to be funny. Beanie Feldstein is especially hilarious as Jamie’s ex Suki.
Unfortunately, this is also where the movie tends to fall apart. They lean so heavily into the campy, trippy nature of the film that it ends up hindering my overall impression of it. Unnecessary 70’s acid trip style montages are littered throughout. It just feels too “far out” for what the film is at its core.
I did appreciate, however, how quickly Drive Away Dolls gets moving. Coen wastes no time in getting the plot going. From there, it’s all pedal to the metal.
Final Thoughts
Is Drive Away Dolls the best Coen movie out there? No. Probably not even top 10. But it does provide for a fun time. I feel that folks who are a part of the LGBTQ+ community will enjoy it. But for some, it may just be too far out there to really connect.
