Drive-Away Dolls

"Drive-Away Dolls" on Blu-ray showcases a mesmerizing MPEG-4 AVC 1080p transfer, offering viewers a visual feast that combines a meticulously detailed image with a vibrant and sometimes oversaturated color palette. The Director of Photography, Ari Wegner, employing her expertise from works like "The Power of the Dog" and "The Wonder," captured the film digitally in 4K using an Arri Alexa 35. This technical prowess ensures each scene is presented with sharp clarity and rich textures, from the lush purples of Sugar 'n' Spice bar to the warm, woody tones of the pizza restaurant. The nighttime scenes avoid black crush, preserving intricate details without compromising the depth and dimension of the darker moments. Despite Universal's conservative approach to physical media releases, limiting this release to Blu-ray/DVD without a 4K option as of now, the existing Blu-ray rendition does justice to the late '90s setting with its fine lines, textures, and attention to detail, avoiding any overt attempts to scream its era, thus providing a nostalgically accurate yet fresh visual experience.

The color reproduction across the film is notable; from muted calmness to bright pops of color, especially in bar scenes filled with greens, blues, and magentas, it creates an otherworldly party atmosphere. The transfer successfully balances these vibrant hues with realistic and healthy-looking skin tones, except in intentionally stylized settings where lighting impacts are part of the creative vision. Night scenes are particularly impressive with their accurate black levels enhancing the image’s depth and maintaining the integrity of nocturnal sequences without loss of detail.

Details in clothing and environments are pronounced, revealing textures and layers that add to the film's visual appeal. The psychedelic animated sequences inserted throughout provide a contrast with their intentionally aged appearance, complete with signs of damage and wear, serving as a creative choice rather than a quality shortcoming. Despite this Blu-ray not offering HDR or a 4K disc version, the clarity, depth, and clean presentation free from noise or artifacts make "Drive-Away Dolls" a high-quality viewing experience. While it’s something of a missed opportunity not to have this title in 4K given its initial filming quality, the Blu-ray edition still stands out for its portrayal of colors, nighttime clarity, and overall fidelity to the late '90s vibe it aims to recapture.

The audio presentation of "Drive-Away Dolls" on Blu Ray shines with its English Dolby Atmos track, while also offering English Dolby TrueHD 7.1, and French and Spanish Dolby Digital 5.1 options. The Atmos mix stands out not just for its breadth but for adeptly balancing the film's eclectic mix of comedic dialogue, dynamic music, and varied sound effects within a convincingly immersive soundscape. Dialogue remains crystal clear and firmly anchored in the center, ensuring that every line delivers its intended punch, while directionality and spatial imaging are effectively utilized to enhance scenes with nuanced environmental sounds, like passing cars and bustling bar ambiance. The mix manages a commendable front focus that never feels limiting, smoothly incorporating side, rear, and height channels to add layers of depth without detracting from the primary action.

Music, composed by Carter Burwell, along with various music cues, plays a pivotal role in setting the tone and atmosphere, benefiting from rich fidelity across the soundscape that emphasizes both the mid-range and bass frequencies. The subwoofer is given ample opportunities to demonstrate its capabilities, delivering substantial LFE that enriches everything from the score's bass lines to the visceral impact of gunshots and road noise. This approach ensures that the soundtrack supports rather than overwhelms, maintaining a cohesive audio experience.

Despite the film's heavy reliance on dialogue and less on high-octane action sequences, the audio track impressively exploits the Dolby Atmos capabilities to create moments of immersive sound that extend vertically and around the audience. This is particularly evident in sequences set in various locations, where ambient sounds are layered with precision, adding to the overall sense of immersion without overshadowing the critical vocal performances. Sound effects are rendered with realistic detail, from the subtle echo in outdoor scenes to the satisfying crunch of physical confrontations, all while maintaining a balance that keeps listeners engaged but not exhausted by auditory overload. Subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish are also provided, ensuring accessibility for a wider audience.

The extras included on the "Drive-Away Dolls" Blu-ray present a succinct yet insightful glimpse into the film's creation, despite a total running time of under eight minutes and the notable absence of a commentary track. Fans may find themselves craving more in-depth material, but the available content, featuring discussions with key creators Tricia Cooke and Ethan Coen as well as input from stars Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, offers valuable insights. Cooke's reflections on the importance of timing for the film's development and the brief exploration of road trip essentials from the film's stars provide a quick, albeit fluffy, dive into the creative process and thematic elements. While the brevity and lack of a commentary track may disappoint some, these extras serve as a modest complement to the overall package, which also includes a slipcover, digital code, and DVD for collectors.

Extras included in this disc:

• THE DRIVE-AWAY GANG: Tricia Cooke, Ethan Coen, and the three female leads share high-level insights into the project and filming with Matt Damon.

• DRIVE-AWAY DOLLS: AN ETHAN AND TRICIA PROJECT: Coen and Cooke discuss the film's conception, emphasizing Cooke's long-standing desire to make this film as a queer artist and their collaborative process.

• ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS: A brief feature where Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan highlight key road trip items referenced in the film.

"Drive-Away Dolls," directed by Ethan Coen and co-written with Tricia Cooke, emerges as a distinguished addition to their filmography, albeit marking a creative detour with its lesbian-centric narrative and road movie premise. This Blu-ray release by Universal introduces audiences to Jamie (played by Margaret Qualley) and Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan), whose impromptu road trip to Tallahassee becomes a kaleidoscopic journey through unexpected adventures and encounters with quirky criminals. The film, while light on special features, ensures a comprehensive package with the inclusion of a DVD and Digital Code, accommodating varied viewer preferences.

Ethan Coen's foray into the directorial realm sans his brother Joel, especially in collaboration with his wife, Tricia Cooke, presents "Drive-Away Dolls" as a curious blend of humor, crime, and road-trip escapades set against a backdrop of lesbian relationships. Qualley and Viswanathan's performances elevate the narrative, exploring themes of freedom, fidelity, and friendship with depth and nuance. The film's pacing, akin to classic Coen Brothers' projects, fluctuates between moments of intense hilarity and instances of reflective calm, embodying a fusion of the siblings' trademark storytelling with Ethan's unique directorial voice. Noteworthy is the film's unequivocal portrayal of sexuality, unfurling the protagonists' lesbian identities with honesty and straightforwardness rarely seen in mainstream cinema.

Despite its commendable elements, "Drive-Away Dolls" grapples with issues of narrative inertia, as highlighted by some critics, implying that while the journey embarks promisingly, it occasionally veers into less compelling detours. However, when reconciling these moments with the film's broader ambitions—to enthrall, amuse, and provoke thought—it becomes apparent that Coen and Cooke's partnership has birthed a project worth attention. As they venture beyond the conventional boundaries of genre and narrative structure, "Drive-Away Dolls" stands as a testament to their creative evolution and potential for future endeavors in queer-themed cinema.

"Drive-Away Dolls," directed by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, emerges as a compelling watch, albeit with its ups and downs, according to various reviews. This unique road movie thrives on the undeniable chemistry between its leads, Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan, delivering a mixture of humor, energy, and eccentricity. While the film dazzles with crackling energy and sharp dialogue, buoyed by its homage to '70s exploitation and broad comedy, it suffers slightly from pacing issues and a lack of substantial special features on its Blu-ray release. Nevertheless, its high-quality transfer and Atmos mix are commendable technical achievements that enhance the viewing experience.

Critics highlight the film’s strengths in character development and the engaging journey of its two central lesbian characters through a narrative filled with oddball encounters and growth. However, they also point out the film's somewhat meandering plot and underwhelming resolution. Despite these criticisms, "Drive-Away Dolls" is appreciated for its boldness and unique flair, standing as a testament to the creative visions of Coen and Cooke. The change from its original title to a more audience-friendly one is noted as a missed opportunity to fully embrace its edge but does not detract from the core appeal of this adventurous cinematic experience.

In conclusion, "Drive-Away Dolls" represents a mixed bag that ultimately leans towards a positive reception. Its standout performances, engaging narrative energy, and commendable technical presentation make it worth a watch, especially for fans of unconventional road movies and those seeking something beyond mainstream offerings. While it may not hit every mark perfectly, its heart and humor shine through, making it a recommendation for viewers looking for both entertainment and something to ponder upon post-viewing.