Like leaning into a quiet conversation, Drive My Car takes real effort. It’s not just the crazy long running time of 2h 59m either. It takes so long for the fragments that you are presented with in the first hour to gel into a story, it might leave most behind but that would be sad because it is worth the effort.
The story is intertwined with a production of the play Uncle Vanya by heavyweight Russian playwright Anton Chekhov. Its main focus is on the life of actor/producer Yūsuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima) but its generous running time allows a few other characters’ stories to be told and interesting ones there are.
Using a minimal, almost nonexistent soundtrack and long moments of silence, you are not steered to any established destination and left with enough time to figure out in detail how you feel about these characters and their actions. When first presented their lives seem lily-white, that feeling doesn’t last. There is also a strange moment around an hour in when they roll what looks like final cast credits.
If a 179-minute long movie seems daunting be rest assured that by the film’s end you will be rewarded with a unique narrative. Tying things together so well, in conclusion, has the effect of making you re-examine the entire series of events that lead up to it. Don’t drink too much coffee beforehand and you should be fine and don’t miss what is a wonderful cinema experience.
Drive My Car is currently screening at Dendy Coorparoo, click here for session times and ticketing.
Rob Hudson
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