It’s tough out there in the service sector. Scratch that; let’s just say it’s tough out there. So, who would blame anybody with a side hustle or a second job? They’re just trying to make an honest living, provide for their family, or just trying to earn enough extra cash to make their existence slightly more enjoyable.
But how far would you go?
That’s what Self Driver, the new film from Michael Pierro and starring Nathanael Chadwick, tries to answer. A down-on-his-luck, legally-distinct-to-Uber driver is struggling to provide for his family, so when an interesting alternative driving opportunity presents itself, he’d be stupid not to jump at it, right? This service may, however, be too good to be true…
D (Nathanael Chadwick) drives for Vrmr, a taxi service with terrible customer service and unethical payment schemes. But it’s a job, and he needs one after recently being laid off from an office job because he has to support a wife and kid at home (he ain’t doing amazing with the earning of money). Yeah, this job has whining passengers who all complain about his car or throw up in it, but money is money.
However, more money would be better.
When an unusual fare offers him a job with his new app, D snaps up the opportunity. Some drawbacks, though: he can’t talk to the passengers and MUST do what the app tells him to do AT ALL TIMES! Otherwise, he can wave some of his fee goodbye. AND the app doesn’t even show GPS for goodness sake!
A shady driving app where you’re not allowed to talk to the passengers? Yeahhhhhhhhhh, there are gonna be some weirdos getting in your cab, buddy. Let’s hope nothing is too serious.
The concept of an Uber for the criminal underworld is interesting. I’d be surprised if it didn’t exist in some capacity already, but having it as a driving app that literally only gives you your next instruction without explanation is freaking smart. Turn left, turn right, stop here, punch that guy in the face! That’s a good idea.
Nathanael Chadwick puts in a terrific performance as D. The camera is trained on him for almost the whole movie, so he definitely puts a shift in. His demeanor depicts restrained rage at the beginning, which fits with his character. I mean, he is in the service industry dealing with members of the public. Yuck! Later, this turns to confusion, anxiety, and trepidation. That’s perfect for his role as a chauffeur to the scum of the world.
The overall atmosphere was moody and tense, especially when D switched to the new driving app. I found myself wondering who these passengers were and what they were going to do, and that anticipation had me riveted. Although action was scarce, the lead-up to pivotal moments was crafted excellently.
Everyone sucks. I said it. Everyone sucks. Not the acting, but the characters are the absolute worst. I don’t think there is one person in the whole film that I actually wanted to succeed. D, the main character, is a douche. He is a slob (honestly, take a bit of pride in your workplace, even if that workplace is a beat-up old car), he lies to his wife, and he is rude and generally unlikable.
His passengers are probably worse, but at least you don’t feel like you should like them. His OG customers are one thing, but after moving to the other app, there are some downright nasty mofos. At least they’re upfront about it. It’s really difficult to get invested in people’s fates when you couldn’t give a crap if they live or die.
I can’t decide whether I liked the cinematography or not. In one sense, it has the same sort of aesthetic as Spree, starring Joe Keery, a film that was intentionally made to look like it was being self-recorded on a cellphone. That vibe is cool, if a little rough and ready. I keep flopping back and forth between enjoying the way it was shot and thinking it could have needed a different approach. I suppose there are only limited ways to shoot a film almost entirely taking place in a cab.
Self Driver is an interesting concept. In uncertain economic times, I’m sure there will be more and more questionable jobs becoming available, but what would you do for money? Would you turn a blind eye to violence, perpetrate it yourself, or would your guilty conscience get in the way?
It didn’t for our “protagonist”, D, and that may have been what let this film down. With a movie so centred on one person, you have to have some sort of affinity towards them. I didn’t because he sucked. He sucked a lot. However, it wasn’t to a point of hatred where I wanted D to die or get what was coming to him; it was to a point of ambivalence.
That’s not a comment on the acting because Chadwick does a fantastic job. I just think this whole concept may have worked a little better with someone who sucked a little bit less.
