With a solid foundation via a great script and the right actors for the roles, Daddio will surprise you with how much can be done with just two people in a cab driving into New York City from the airport. Sean Penn as the cabbie has never been better and Dakota Johnson as his passenger shows range and acting chops not seen before.
The set-up is basic as we catch a preoccupied-looking Johnson exiting the airport and grabbing a cab from the rank to transport her back into Manhattan. Behind the wheel is Clark (Penn) a twenty-plus-year veteran of driving people where they want to go. He is a keen observer of the human condition and those decades have not been wasted.
They soon strike up a conversation that will slowly reveal hidden secrets and expose the depths of their internal conflicts. It is fascinating watching, or rather hearing Penn slice through Johnson’s defences with his observations on why people do the things they do. He gets her to reveal herself to him in a way she has never done before.
The strength of the film resides in the words spoken by the actors with such consummate skill. The script is so full of wonderful nuance and drive, it doesn’t waste a single word. By the film’s end, you will feel like you got to know these two people intimately and your world will become better for it. If you love film, you will love this.
Rob Hudson
The Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) is a celebration of cinema as art, entertainment and industry, for everyone seeking bold and unforgettable experiences.
An annual event, held over 11 days from Thursday 24th October to Sunday 3rd November 2024 and spread across several wonderful locations in Brisbane.
This years festival will showcase over 40 feature films and 40 short films from home and abroad, filmmaker Q&As, industry and student events.
www.biff.com.au/
