Reviewed by Doug Cooper
Stars Souleymane Sy Savane, Red West, Diana Franca Galindo, Carmen Leyva, Lane Williams, Mamadou Lam, Carmen Leyva,
Jim Babel, Linda Lindsly, Neill Fleeman
Written by Bahareh Azimi & Ramin Bahrani
Certification UK 15 | US R
Runtime 91 minutes
Directed by Ramin Bahrani
This indie drama from writer-director Bahrani (Man Push Cart) is worthily intentioned and not without interest, but is ultimately undone by a funereal pace and lack of compelling conflict.
Its chief strength lies in the two lead performers, both of whom are excellent. Savane plays Solo, a Senegalese taxi driver who works in Winston Salem, North Carolina. Married and with a child on the way, he is studying to be a flight attendant in his spare time. One of his fares is 70-year-old William (West), a cold, stubborn pensioner seemingly intent on ending his life on a certain date, October 20th, two weeks hence. He books Solo to transport him that day to the top of a mountain and the taxi driver becomes concerned for his welfare. He tries to persistently ingratiate himself into William's life, but the old man is resistant to giving anything away about his past and background.
Over time though, he begins to subtly thaw and accept Solo's company, especially when the driver is accompanied by his sweet young stepdaughter, whom the elder strikes up an innocently friendly bond with. This slice of life character study is naturalistic and convincingly played, both actors rising to the occasion when the few dramatic moments occur. West is very good at playing dourness and contempt - his momentary flashes of anger and violence towards his new friend are powerfully portrayed. Savane anchors the tale superbly with a fresh, plausible performance showing the different shadings to his character - unhappy employee, caring stepfather, eager jobseeker, concerned compatriot - all deployed with energetic vigour.
Unfortunately, their impressive efforts are let down by a lack of real dramatic tension. One is never intrigued enough about William's plight - does he really intend to end his life? Is the young cinema attendant he often speaks to a relation of his? One soon begins to lose interest in the protagonists' travails It could sorely do with more bustle. It's too slow and draggy, petering out unsatisfactorily. The renowned critic who sat in front of me at the screening I attended dozed off for a good hour of it. That does the film a disservice as Bahrani has the template for a good movie here. Sadly though, he cannot override the eventual tedium on this outing.