Forget Gone In 60.Forget many of the others..
Added 3/14/2009
One of the best Car Chases. A BadA** Firebird Formula , Good Acting, Fast paced Cops n Bad Guys Action Caper, The Driver Ryan O Neal smashes a Mercedes Benz! Nice. And Later he races/chases. another 'Bird, In a Cool Fast Gmc Shortbed truck,Kind of dumb weird ending. but hey. long movie. but constantly fun, and you don't have to wait like in Bullitt for the Cars Speeding/Car Chases. GREAT MOVIE.
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Car chases, humorous dialogue, underground attitude
Added 12/6/2008
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 later, such as the cop calling another a "fruiter"
or bribe taker, etc.
The lead detective's cockiness (Bruce Dern) is shown by comparing gun violence
and car chases in the middle of where the public at large is walking
and driving to the sports pages of a newspaper. The same officer's
dialog is also surreal, from the concern he shows to the suspect,
by discussing his personal and professional life, as some kinds of
counsellor, when that's is not entirely realistic.
The rates for a hotel room ($5 and $1 for a TV) indicate the inflation
rate, that the economy has gone through, since that time.
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Terrible but Great movie ??????
Added 8/22/2008
Yeah, yeah - What is that supposed to mean? I honestly love this bad movie. Just because Bruce Dern has these terrible lines like "Cowboy, Desperado" that he [aims] at Ryan O'Neal, "The Driver" - who is hired out by bad guys for getaways from crime scenes (guess that goes without saying).
The plot was really far-fetched. I mean a cop making a deal with bad guys (three real bumbling clowns) to rob a bank so that he can catch "Driver" - Ryan O'Neal. But darn it, the hokey lines that Bruce Dern exchanges with one of his "understudy's" (Matt Clark) and O'Neal are really outrageous.
I must add that the car chases were NOT that great. Really. Nothing can compare to "Bullitt." Even "The Seven-Ups" car chase was better than the ones in this movie.
Again, I must say that only for the acting of Bruce Dern, this movie would fall flat on its face. Isabelle Adjani really brings home some dead-pan acting. Absolutely emotionless. And Ryan O'Neal's acting isn't much more emotional, either. But all this adds up to a really cool movie. Why? I still don't know.
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as good as Bullit
Added 2/21/2008
I have seen this movie over and over again. And just like Bullit it is one of those movies that you have to see once a year. The timing and the use of time and pauses and silences are very skillfully used. The casting is good. Silent characters played by Isabelle Adjani and Ryan O'Neill and the real bastard of a cop by Bruce Dern and his unwilling partner. The story is pretty good and works because of the screenplay. I would recommend this to anyone, unless Toy Story really grabs ya.
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One of the best walter hill movie with two great actors Ryan o'Neal and Bruce dern
action packed and fast cars !!
enjoy !
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