Baby Drver

                                                                                                  July 13, 2017

Baby Driver is a unique movie; it is not a sequel or a remake it is an original script. This is a terrific movie. It is a tender love story with bank robberies, unshaven dirty bad guys and amazing car chases.  Driving is a major element of the film: drifting, high speed chases, reverse driving (it made me feel inadequate). This movie has elements of Bonnie and Clyde, Bullet and some parts of Grease. The cast is terrific. The ensemble’s performance was cohesive and well-paced. The movie’s direction was gritty, dynamic and interjected with poignant moments.

The protagonist is named Baby; yeh, just Baby. How cool is that? Baby is played by Ansel Elgort. He was the wimpy brother in the Divergent series. Baby has a baby face, there is even a close up of his peach fuzz. He seems Autistic, with preputial dark Ray Ban’s, fixed ear plugs and pouty lips seldom speaking. One character asks if he is slow, which is an inside joke. The loopy personality masks his supremely virtuoso driving skills. He does not drive Porsches or Ferraris, rather more humble fare. He makes diving a Subaru sexy; there is hope for all of us. Elgort is pitch perfect for the role.

He is constantly plugged into his iPod so the music drowns out tinnitus. The music is a big part of the film. Half the tunes I recognized for the rest I had no clue (a consequence of being born in the 50’s).

Kevin Spacy is the gang mastermind who orchestrates the robberies. Baby is indentured to Spacy, but how is not made clear. Spacy is a precise task master and cold blooded. The film focuses on one last heist and Baby must be behind the wheel.

Jon Hamm is a former stock broker turned bank robber (Wow, what a stretch). Unshaven, greasy and probably smelly, he still gets the hot chic (go figure). He was corrupt in Mad Men, but here he is lethal. Jammie Foxx plays a tattooed necked killer/bank robber. He is part of the gang with Baby and Hamm, he threatens Baby.  Foxx relishes this role.

Lily James plays Debora, Baby’s love interest. She is like Sandy from Grease, but she wields a crow bar. This is love at first sight, or as the Italians would say struck by a thunderbolt. They are very tender with each other and share a strong bond.

I highly recommend this film. And please would someone tell me what is Egyptian Reggie.