DRIVEN
US, 2001, 110 minutes, Colour.
Sylvester Stallone, Burt Reynolds, Kip Pardue, Stacey Edwards, Til Schweiger, Gina Gershon, Estella Warren, Christian de la Fuente, Robert Sean Leonard.
Directed by Renny Harlin.
Driven sounds much better than it actually is. It is an action show with racing cars directed by Renny Harlin (who directed Sylvester Stallone in Cliffhanger and made such films as Cutthroat Island, The Long Kiss Goodnight as well as the prequel to The Exorcist. The film focuses on a young driver, Kip Pardue, who is experiencing crises and needs coaching from the veteran, Stallone. Stallone is also dealing with his own personal traumas. There is a strong cast with Burt Reynolds as well as Gina Gershon. However, the film seems to lack some momentum and the characters are not particularly interesting.
The film was nominated for seven Razzies, the awards given for the worst performances of the year – it was nominated in all categories, winning for the worst supporting actress, Estella Warren (sharing it with her performance in The Planet of the Apes).
Not a film that will linger in the memory.
1. The popularity of motor racing and world competition? The energy in the film - for the fans of racing cars?
2. The title, the play on words, the reference to cars, the reference to characters who are driven by the love of the sport and their ambitions?
3. The location photography: the glimpses of racing venues around the world? The detail in Chicago, Japan, Germany, Detroit?
4. The real-life action, stunt work, computer graphics, editing and pace? The races, the crashes, the accidents, fire? The musical score, songs?
5. The structure of the film: the year's competition, following the races around the world, the rivalry between Brandenberg and Bly? The crises, the managers, morale-boosting, training? The personal rivalries, personal dilemmas? The build-up to the final confrontation, the rescue of Memo and the heroism? The final race?
6. The competition between Beau Brandenberg and Jimmy Bly, their comparative skills, Brandenberg and his experience, Bly and his brashness, coming up suddenly without experience and maturity? Brandenberg and his clash with Sophia, moving her away from him? Her going to Jimmy and beginning the relationship with him, his dependence on her? His jealousy at the social, Sophia and her choice, accepting her ring back, going with Beau? Yet her attachment to him and helping him in giving information about his brother changing sides?
7. The personalities of Beau, the serious veteran and professional, with Jimmy, the talented amateur, becoming professional, not knowing himself, being managed by his brother, his brother's domination, doing everything for him, urging him on? The inevitability of their clash, deMille and his decision to back Brandenberg, Jimmy feeling it as a betrayal, de Mille and his speech about doing everything for Jimmy and not being treated well? The finale and the reconciliation between the brothers?
8. Carl, in the wheelchair, manager, determination? Managing Jimmy, coaching him, giving advice? The contracts? Becoming disillusioned with Jimmy, feeling that he didn't have the mental concentration and strength? Prepared to let him go? Bringing in Joe Tanto to train him? Disappointed with Joe? The build-up to letting him go, the rescue of Memo, the final race, testing him and his physical strength of getting out of the car, jumping on his injured foot? The victory?
9. Sylvester Stallone as Joe Tanto, his strength of character, alone in the country, summoned by Carl, thinking he was going to drive again? His being there for morale-boosting, aloof from Jimmy and Jimmy aloof from him? De Mille wanting to be the intermediary? Joe's disapproval of the relationship with Sophia? Going around the tracks, the races, his advice? The episode in Chicago, the social, Jimmy's anger, taking the racing car, driving it recklessly through the streets of Chicago, Joe pursuing him, stopping, giving him advice? The bond between the two, growing support, going to help with the rescue of Memo? Joe and his background, not having the success that he wished for, the crash, his marriage to Kathy, alienation, her leaving and marrying Memo? Her taunting him? His relationship with Luc, her following the course during the year, their friendship? The finale and his racing, his manoeuvres, helping Jimmy to win, his proving to himself that he could have won?
10. Luc and journalist, following the course, getting to understand the life of the drivers, her relationship with Joe? The taunts of Kathy and their clash?
11. Kathy and Memo, Memo being moved on by Carl? Kathy and her resentment? Taunting Joe? Taunting Luc? Urging Memo on in the final race? His being accepted by Carl and allowed to drive? His reckless decision, the crash, his being rescued? Kathy and Memo watching the race from the hospital?
12. The team, the back-up, the pit stops, the racing - and the atmosphere of the meetings?
13. The crowds, the fans, the glamour, autographs, the accidents and the crowds' reactions, the rescue staff?
14. A drama of the generation gaps, the maturing of younger men, the experience of older men and finding some kind of redemption in helping the next generation? Father-son imagery?
