BABY DRIVER (2017)

7/3/17 - Baby Driver (2017) - 7-/10

A dramatically idiosyncratic effort that is a melange of genre elements coalescing into a thrilling and exquisitely entertaining joyride.  A 70's adrenaline car flick reinterpreted as a neo-fairy-tale, with its own myth and magic, all while having a musicals sensibility. Its amazing to think that with all those elements this is probably the least stylized of Wrigth's work, but it is true. This film plays almost like a straight film. Almost… Though not perfect, it is high octane, finely choreographed, witty merriment.

The actors were spot on, with Spacey’s subdued shiftiness, Fox’s over-the-top charisma, and Ham’s driven refined sociopathy. Something held me back from the main character, played by Ansel Elgort. Not sure if it is the actor doing a great job or had a deep lack of charisma (similar to how I felt about like Drive...coincidence?). Though I “got” him and was onboard, I just couldn’t truly sink all of myself into him. And, actually, I wasn’t that into Lily James’ Debora, boiling down to an analogous “princess in a tower”/vacant love object.

Whatever one thinks of the acting, the mixture of music and movement was spectacular. A gaiety and effervescence bleed through each adrenaline maxed scene. Even when things get dark and tense, the magisterial mixture of choreography, metaphor, and metaness on the back of each music choice & beat just screams “ENTERTAINING”. It was something that felt distinctly Wright and drove the film with the same break-neck acceleration and pin point finesse that the driver does in his film. A special voice delivering an unique vision.

Despite how fun and finely executed, there still felt a semblance of slightness and plot juvenilety that put a tire clamp/boot on my love. It was smart and expertly whipped up, but I just couldn't lose myself in it. I still think it was really good, but it could have been transcendental with some fine tuning in the film engine and story steering.