DRIVEN
US, 2019, 113 minutes, Colour.
Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace, Judy Greer, Isabel Arraiza, Michael Cudlitz, Erin Moriarty, Jamey Sheridan, Iddo Goldberg, Tara Summers, Justin Bartha, Corey Stoll.
Directed by Nick Hamm.
While John De Lorean is a central character in this film, the focus is more on the conman, Jim Hoffman, who is befriended by De Lorean, becomes instrumental in helping him with a drug dealing solution to his financial problems, betrays him to the police but is ambiguous in his answers in the court and so, ultimately, helps De Lorean to freedom.
Some audiences were very critical of the film. The criticism seemed to indicate that they were expecting a biography of a car inventor and manufacturer like Tucker, the Man and his Dreams. While there are some insights into the character of John De Lorean, his mythmaking in his own mind leading to his ambitions and inventions, his ultimate decisions and involvement in the drug running, he is the subordinate character to Jim Hoffman.
Lee Pace is very effective as De Lorean. Jason Sudeikis is also very effective as Hoffman. Judy Greer appears as his wife. Corey Stoll is the FBI agent, determined to arrest DeLorean?, using Hoffman and ultimately frustrated.
It means that the early part of the film shows Hoffman as a pilot, bringing drugs from Colombia to the United States, arrested by the FBI, willing to be bait for De Lorean, set up in a luxury house, finding himself accepted by De Lorean and going to parties. However, in the past, he has absconded with some of the money from the drug dealing organiser and offers to pay back his debt by introducing him to DeLorean? and using him for the drug deal.
The film opens with Hoffman in the witness seat in a court case, so arresting audience attention, and then finishes with him and how he behaved, the effect for De Lorean, the frustration of the FBI agent.
1. The period, the 1970s, 1980s? Costumes and decor? Cars and vehicles? The De Lorean?
2. The court framework, Jim Hoffman in court, the prosecutor and the attack, Hoffman’s response, joking, evading? The resumption at the end?
3. Cocaine smuggling, Bolivia, the planes and the drugs, the pilots? The contrast with homes? FBI offices? The De Lorean mansion? The musical score?
4. The film as Jim Hoffman’s story, not that of John De Lorean? Different audience expectations?
5. Jason Sudeikis as Jim Hoffman, the conman, the deals, crime, money? His family, love for his wife? Her spoilt life? Children? The contact for Bolivia, the drug boss? Taken by the FBI, his betraying the drug boss? The FBI agent, the links? His new house, lifestyle, his ability to fix cars, the meeting with John De Lorean, the developing friendship, De Lorean’s dreams, Jim helping, invitation to his home, the friendship bond? Socialising?
6. The FBI agent, the interrogations, keeping contact, the meetings, the threats to imprisonment for Jim’s wife, the deals, trying to get the crime boss? His presence, his girlfriend? The meetings with Jim, the plausibility of his deals? The contact with De Lorean? Going to the party, the girlfriend with the wife stresses, drunk, in the pool, Jim rescuing her? The De Lorean disdain?
7. Phone calls, meetings, and, her wondering about what was happening, demanding the truth? The FBI’s threats? Her upset, leaving? Her love, return, sharing?
8. John De Lorean, in himself, the stories of his harsh father, the myth about his assembling the parts of the car? His ambitions, plans, the design of the car, distinctive, the need for money? His personal fortune? Jim giving ideas, the setting up of the company in Ireland? The product, the cars looking the same, faults in the initial cars? The threats to the company? Bill and the range of advisors, their loyalty? Meeting and concern about bankruptcy?
9. De Lorean scheme, the drugs, needing immediate money, the discussions with Jim? The connections? The FBI disguise? Setting up the crime? The meetings? The drug boss and his acceptance?
10. The plan, the range of drugs, the money, the delivery?
11. The setup, the sting, the tensions, De Lorean and his involvement, Jim driving him, trying to warn him? De Lorean giving Jim the money?
12. De Lorean’s wife, suspicions, visiting Alan? Trying to make the call?
13. The moment, the sting, the FBI agents, the arrest?
14. The interrogations? Jim and his response? In the court, the prosecutor, Jim evading answers? De Lorean free? The FBI agent and his disgust?
15. Not getting the money as planned from the FBI, going into witness protection?
16. The final information about De Lorean and Jim Hoffman?
