directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi
This year is a big mystery for me. I mean, the last few years have been one big mystery, to be honest, but when it comes to Oscars, this year is incredibly strange. I absolutely support a lot of this year’s nominees, but there are also those which leave me speechless. Not in the positive way. Many people have been praising “Drive My Car”, a Japanese drama nominated as the best international film and… not only. There’s also a nomination for the best director, best adapted screenplay and, oh holy spirits, best picture – so shortly speaking, the main Oscar. After seeing so many nominations, it’s obvious that there must be something exceptional about this film. I’ve seen it and if you think we have a similar taste, then you’re welcome – I’ve just saved 3 hours of your precious time. 3 hours that I personally wasted on a production that, in my opinion, shouldn’t be nominated to anything this year. I’m really trying not to be rude here, but I feel like it’s the same political move as it was with “Parasite”, but the thing is that “Parasite” was actually a decent film. Not the best, but decent. “Drive My Car”, for me, is a 3-hour-long emotionless podcast which doesn’t engage the viewer at all and after the first hour you just wish for it to be over. Seems like I’m not the only person who disliked this adaptation and some critics are actually pointing out that the book by Murakami (based on which they made the film) is on a different level. Personally, I haven’t read the book, but I’m an ordinary person who just wanted to see an interesting film. And I almost fell asleep. Several times. Okay, I admit, I’m not the biggest fan of Japanese cinema, but I can appreciate their good productions. This one is a mystery to me. Obviously, we may have different opinions and perhaps some of you are huge fans of such stories and such forms, so I always encourage you to try yourselves. But if you want to follow my advice, it’s really not worth those 3 hours. And if you’re curious about the plot… well… it’s about a man who’s driving his car. And then there’s a woman driving the car. So basically, it’s about someone driving a car and talking way too much. Forgive my honesty, but that’s how I see it. I appreciate it just for the way it’s made because I admire this Japanese meticulousness in filmmaking. Other than that, I pass.
My rating: 3/10
S.
I have nothing to watch 