Review of Drive My Car (2021) by Jluis_001 — 17 Dec 2021

A profound film, but one that will really be too far away for impatient viewers.

This dense 3-hour film is based on a short story by the famous Japanese writer Haruki Murakami, and is directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, who this year also delivered one of my favorite films of the year.

I'm talking about Wheel of Fortune and Fantasy.

The fact that the same director delivers two works that will be in my top 10 of the same year seems exceptional to me, but Drive My Car is also an excellent film that deserves the entire recognition.

Drive My Car is a film loaded with symbolism, and in my interpretation represents looking forward, even with the costs that this represents, and the baggage of the past.

The characters are explored in terms of the experiences that build them at the precise moments in which the story unfolds, especially as it relates to a series of events early in the narrative involving the main male character that are crucial to understanding his persona, but not to accepting where he is headed. I found this to be exceptional.

Drive My Car is a thoughtful, emotional and wise drama.

Its conclusion lends itself to various interpretations, but the most important thing for me is that it doesn't beat around the bush about a simple subject that is actually quite practical and of course, we all experience it.

I'm talking about life's lessons, and the memories and constant pain that we tend to run away from.

Because many times we are perfectly aware of it, but we do nothing to repair it, and this film understands perfectly well that it is by coming out and exposing ourselves, that will eventually bring about healing.