The Driver (1978)
Movie Info
Cast
as The Driver
as The Detective
as The Player
as The Connection
as Red Plainclothesman
as Gold Plainclothesman
as Glasses
as Teeth
as Exchange Man
as The Kid
as Fingers
as Split
as Frizzy
as Floorman
as Card Player
as Boardman
as Blue Mask
as Green Mask
as Uniformed Cop
as Patron
as Patron
as Patron
as Passenger
as Passenger
as Commuter
as Commuter
Critic Reviews for The Driver
All Critics (22) | Top Critics (6) | Fresh (16) | Rotten (6) | DVD (1)
While we can readily identify these characters, we can't identify with them simply because Hill never bothers to tell us what makes them tick.
The closing chase -- two great Drivers in a final showdown -- had me on the edge of my seat for two good reasons: I was thrilled. And I couldn't wait to leave.
I was thrilled. And I couldn't wait to leave.
You can almost smell rubber burning.
A combination of brilliantly edited car chases and existential thriller which recalls the sombreness of Melville and the spareness of Leone.
It is Awful Movie. It is Pretentious Movie. It is Silly Movie. It talks just like this.
Audience Reviews for The Driver
Walter Hill's The Driver is a pulse pounding neo noir action thriller that is bold, riveting, raw and in your face. With great characterization and flair of well executed action sequences, this picture is an entertaining affair that is one of the finest films in the genre. Ryan O'Neal is in one of his best roles here and Bruce Dern is great as the Detective hot on his trail. An intense game of cat and mouse follows and is a riveting piece of cinema that is sure to engage the hardened film buff. The plot is simple, but sometimes you can pull off something great with basic ideas, and that's the case with The Driver. Walter Hill uses the basics at his disposal and creates something truly exciting. From the first frame onwards, this is a taut, exciting film that is a must see for anyone looking for something truly original to watch. Films like this are rare, and 1970's action thrillers are just a bit more riveting due to the fact that they used less elaborate sequences as big explosions and quick cut scenes. The Driver is an accomplished action thriller with wonderful performances and great directing from Walter Hill, who has always crafted entertaining and worthwhile pictures that are sleek, stylish and lots of fun to watch. The Driver is a near flawless movie that is certain to delight 1970's cinema fans. This is a well crafted picture that relies on good old fashioned storytelling and well thought out action to give the viewer something truly riveting to watch. The Driver is one of the finest films of the genre, and it is a movie that really delivers an exciting hour and a half of one of a kind action thrills. This is a powerful work of cinema from director Walter Hill and one that you shouldn't pass up.
Super Reviewer
Veteran badass Walter Hill creates another incredibly enjoyable and delightfully dated crime thriller. Ryan O'Neal is fantastic as the mild-mannered getaway driver and his counterpart Bruce Dern is equally enjoyable as the morally ambivalent and devilishly persistent cop. Hill's Los Angeles is dark, gritty, and replete with swanky bars and dimly-lit parking garages. Yet, perhaps the best parts of the film are the chase scenes. The fluid editing and Hill's ability to capture seemingly every conceivable angle of the chase, makes for quite an enthralling experience. However, the movie is not without its problems. The acting, while minimal, isn't the smoothest from the supporting cast. Also, due to the opening scene and the ice cool demeanor of the protagonist, Refn's Drive no longer feels so original. But in the end, one cannot help but love the ride that Hill's Driver takes us on.
Super Reviewer
Old school action car chase goodness. Just badass stunt drivers doing their thing. O'Neal is the usual prototype no-bullshit attitude you expect from a protagonist in a Hill flick. Having Adjani doesn't hurt things, neither Dern as the cop.
Super Reviewer
The Driver Quotes
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