Edgar Wright Presents: The Driver
The past few weeks have been quite the adventure, hence the silence. Not only did I get a new job but it has finally hit me that I am in my final year in London.
My first year here has opened my mind and allowed me to explore a possible career in Social Media (which I did not really believe was a real job). From working at a charity, which gave me an immense respect for Feminism, to agency life, the knowledge that I have a distinct career path is comforting.
That being said I have also been acknowledging my true passion, film and television. The beginning of my #1000Moviesin600Days challenge has gone horribly, as I have only completed 27 of 1000 films on the list. On the other hand, I have been going to more events throughout the city and will try to write about all the art, and podcasting events I’ve been to recently over the next couple weeks, because they were fantastic.
Coinciding with this project I’ve started attending a screening series Edgar Wright has put together in a beautiful cinema in central London. I missed the first three due to my lack of funds and ridiculous work schedule but was able to attend the one last week.
The Driver was once again a film I had never seen let along heard about but am thrilled I got the chance to see it on the big screen. There is something enchanting about seeing older movies in a cinema, especially a film that involves a lot of broad, fast moving shots.
Edgar Wright introduced the screening, which was a lovely insight into why he chose this as one of his top 1000 favourite films. He was personable and got excited when he saw the first page of the script projected behind him. He explained that the film was written for Steven McQueen but ended up with Ryan O’Neale, who wasn’t exactly the expected second choice.
Wright talked about the fact that the movie influenced a lot of more current movies and video games including Drive and Grand Theft Auto and that no one in the film had a real name, rather they are The Driver, The Detective and The Player.
He even received an email from director Walter Hill who was surprised the film has been given a second life and praised Wright for his role in introducing it to a new base of film fans.
There could not have been more than 150 people in the small theatre and the unexpected funny moments in the film allowed Wright’s inviting laugh to ring throughout the space. It is truly wonderful to see (hear) someone genuinely enjoying a movie experience.
The chase scenes were really fun, and really did look like a video game, from the placement of the camera to the sporadic weaving through traffic. Major props to Bruce Dern who is outrageously good as the determined detective, I don’t know a lot of his work and have been converted into a fan based on this performance.
I really enjoyed this experience and the film, and it was nice to tick off another movie from my list. Here’s hoping the next two screenings are just as great!
