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The Driver
1978 91 min United Kingdom, United States of America R 12+
★7.1
Crime, Thriller, Action
Director: Walter Hill
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
EN
Description
The Driver specializes in driving getaway cars for robberies. His exceptional talent has prevented him from being caught yet. After another successful flight from the police a self-assured detective makes it his primary goal to catch the Driver. He promises pardons to a gang if they help to convict him in a set-up robbery. The Driver seeks help from The Player to mislead the detective.
Budget:
$4M
Worldwide:
$4.9M
Starring
Ryan O'Neal
Actor
Bruce Dern
Actor
Isabelle Adjani
Actor
Key opinion
The Driver is widely regarded as a sleek, stylish neo-noir exercise that prioritizes minimalist atmosphere and kinetic action over traditional plot development. While praised for its influential car chases and stark, cool aesthetic, its sparse characterization and deliberate lack of melodrama leave some viewers feeling emotionally detached.
| Cinematography | The film features meticulously staged, high-stakes car chases that remain visceral and realistic through the use of practical effects rather than CGI. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay utilizes a minimalist, laconic dialogue style and unnamed characters to reinforce a theme of professional detachment. | |
| Acting | The performances by Ryan O'Neal and Bruce Dern are characterized by a stoic, one-note intensity that functions as a stylistic choice rather than a lack of range. | |
| Screenplay | Opinions on the narrative depth are divided; some value the thin, stylized plot as an effective 'adult fairy tale,' while others find the story too sparse or throw-away. | |
| Emotion | The film's deliberate emotional distance and focus on archetypes result in a polarized experience, where some find the coldness immersive while others find it alienating. |