Imagine if Thelma and Louise went wild on a road trip with sexual contraband and a penchant for late-1900s sex comedies (yes, I’m giggling too). That’s the essence of Drive-Away Dolls, a movie that takes the concept of a drive-away car rental, where you drive someone else’s car to their destination for a free trip, and turns it into a bawdy but bewildering sapphic adventure.
Drive-Away Dolls is a “love or lust” buddy comedy that takes its cues from the sexual revolution of the 1970s, complete with a suitcase full of clandestine dildos and a nod to the infamous Cynthia Albritton, better known as Cynthia Plaster Caster. The movie stars Margaret Qualley as the incorrigible sex-addicted Jamie and Geraldine Viswanathan as the more reserved Marian (rhymes with librarian because that’s her style). Together the polar opposites embark on an accidental delivery run that spirals into a zany chase involving mobsters like Colman Domingo’s The Chief, rage-filled cops like Beanie Feldstein as Suki), that briefcase of mystery meat, and a cast of characters that would make any exploitation film proud.
The story is a mixed bag of spicy laughs and eyebrow-quirking moments. On one hand, it’s a refreshing take on the buddy comedy genre, with lesbians in the lead, that feels both bold and timely. The chemistry between Jamie and Marian is fizzy and fun, and there’s no denying Viswanathan is the magnetic force of the film, bringing a grounded charm to the wild antics.
However, the film’s humor sometimes feels like it’s trying too hard to pounce on you rather than surprise you organically. The other thing that gave me pause (no pun) is that the various groups of women come across as frat boys a lot, especially Jamie who is primarily a “dude” in a cowgirl’s boots. It can be amusing but also a bit jarring. The writing duo of Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke have crafted a world that’s both familiar and new, but the execution sometimes veers as wildly as the road trip plot.
Sidebar: Watch out for the cameos. They’re unexpected and highly enjoyable. Oh hey, Pedro.
Despite leaving me in verdict limbo, Drive-Away Dolls is appreciated. It isn’t afraid to “go for it,” delivering a comedic queer action-adventure that feels more free than in free fall. While the ride is sometimes discombobulated, making the movie a bit less enjoyable than it could have been with more insight into Jamie and the relationship with Marian. Let’s just say the story vehicle works but the GPS is out of sync—Coen and Cooke get us where we’re going, but not without a few iffy turns.
In the end, Drive-Away Dolls is easy to appreciate for its audacity and its commitment to delivering a queer-centric narrative that’s as campy as it is thirsty. It’s an uneven rollercoaster that’s worth the ride—if only for the quotable lines and Geraldine Viswanathan’s standout performance.
RIOTUS 