The Driver
Ryan O'Neal and Bruce Dern star in this fast-paced crime thriller filled with white-knuckle car chases. Known as the fastest getaway man on high-stakes robbery jobs, The Driver (O'Neal) is also relentlessly pursued by a detective on the police force who's obsessed with catching him (Dern). With its all-star cast, which also includes Isabelle Adjani and Ronee Blakley, and an action-packed story, The Driver is a metal-crunching, heart-stopping chase from start to finish!
Member Reviews
Classic Car-Chase Movie - newdaysof
The 1970's had quite a few car-chase movies and each one tried to outdo the others. The Driver is up there among the best.
Ryan O'Neal is one of my favourite actors - he's calm, he's cool, he's good-looking and he's tough. He doesn't say much in this film, and overall the dialogue is sparse. But the tight script, fast action and amazing car chases will keep you glued to the screen. Some of the car chases are so incredible, they must have been done by a whole team of expert stunt-car drivers. There is also a hilarious scene when one of the hoodlums asks Ryan O'Neal's character if he really is "that good". Well, they get in a car and do about five minutes of the most hair-raising, hilarious and dangerous driving in an underground parking garage. There are also several tire-squealing, rubber-burning, all-out chases throughout several miles of downtown Los Angeles that are beyond belief in their skill and danger.
Bruce Dern plays the neurotic cop who is obsessed in arresting "the driver" and will do anything to get him. There is a nice plot twist and surprise ending that wraps everything up nicely.the driver - oldmovies
The Driver (1978), is a movie that's controversial, in that
it tends to idolize and glorify the "driver" who participates
in heists, hold ups, and stick ups. This is supported not
only by the protagonist, Ryan O'Neal, being a phenomenal
driver of various consumer cars (pickups, Mercedez Benz,
regular American cars) but also sparing the life of his
rivals driver, as well, with the argument that the latter
was "only a driver", in setup to doom him.
In addition, the main actors are charismatic and low brow, modest
with a powerful, underlying vitality, energy and sensitivity,
in the form of O'Neal and also, Isabelle Adjani - the latter, who
projects here an image of youth, baby-faced innocence, and self-confidence
all the while being sensitive, and down to earth, that many in the audience
will build a rapport with.Cool movie - Porkchop
The Driver (1978), is a movie that's controversial, in that
it tends to idolize and glorify the "driver" who participates
in heists, hold ups, and stick ups. This is supported not
only by the protagonist, Ryan O'Neal, being a phenomenal
driver of various consumer cars (pickups, Mercedez Benz,
regular American cars) but also sparing the life of his
rivals driver, as well, with the argument that the latter
was "only a driver", in setup to doom him.
In between the above element of glorifying the criminal element,
(money laundering, gambling, etc) and suggesting in a candid way that
some peace officers are rogue, and act in a similar way to Dirty Harry,
for example, compromising their means, in order to achieve a desired
end for purposes of career promotion, notoriety, prestige as a detective
team leade, there's plenty of time to show off hair-raising stunts set
in the downtown or metro area of a major huge city, the size
of Chicago, NYC or New Jersey, for example, with suspense, and
style to an eager audience.
As stated, the car chases are spectacular in this movie (although
not as much as seen in the Seven Ups, with Roy Scheider elsewhere.)
In addition, the main actors are charismatic and low brow, modest
with a powerful, underlying vitality, energy and sensitivity,
in the form of O'Neal and also, Isabelle Adjani - the latter, who
projects here an image of youth, baby-faced innocence, and self-confidence
all the while being sensitive, and down to earth, that many in the audience
will build a rapport with.
Next, the earlier stylish and fascinating elements, are juxtaposed with
some point-blank shootings in the course of the action, coupled with
pistol and shotgun scenes during high speed car chases.
Various scenarios are shown of hold-ups, such as that of a supermarket,
a bank, and more ...with commentary that is somewhat politically
incorrect 30 years
Member Reviews
Read All...
Classic Car-Chase Movie - newdaysof
The 1970's had quite a few car-chase movies and each one tried to outdo the others. The Driver is up there among the best.
Ryan O'Neal is one of my favourite actors - he's calm, he's cool, he's good-looking and he's tough. He doesn't say much in this ...the driver - oldmovies
The Driver (1978), is a movie that's controversial, in that
it tends to idolize and glorify the "driver" who participates
in heists, hold ups, and stick ups. This is supported not
only by the protagonist, Ryan O'Neal, being a phenomenal
driver ...Cool movie - Porkchop
The Driver (1978), is a movie that's controversial, in that
it tends to idolize and glorify the "driver" who participates
in heists, hold ups, and stick ups. This is supported not
only by the protagonist, Ryan O'Neal, being a phenomenal
driver ...