An entertaining true-crime tale told with a wink and a smile, Driven delves into the deceptive nature of those who use facade as a tool to sell success while they drown in a debt of lies.
The story of John DeLorean is one that still fascinates, since it personifies the American dream at its best and worst. The son of Hungarian immigrants, DeLoreon survived a rough upbringing and would go on to become a world-renowned engineer and executive during his time with General Motors, in which he delivered the Pontiac GTO. It would be his next creation that would cement his legacy, and not in a good way: the DeLorean, a so-called “car of the future” that turned out to be one of the biggest busts in the history of the auto industry. A subsequent drug trafficking charge would all but turn this American dream into an American nightmare.
It is this phase of DeLorean’s life that is the basis of Driven, the latest film from Irish director Nick Hamm (Killing Bono), who embraces the absurd nature of the FBI sting that entrapped DeLorean when he was at his most desperate. Key to this was Jim Hoffman, a con-man and drug trafficker who is also an FBI informant. Playing the role is Jason Sudeikis, who continues to impress with one of the more successful post-SNL careers in recent history. Sudeikis really gets to the weasel, double-talking nature of Hoffman as portrayed in a funny, slimy, and even at times surprisingly sympathetic turn as a man whose penchant for being a slime ball constantly trumps his better nature.
Feeling the heat from no-nonsense FBI agent Benedict Tisa (Corey Stoll), Hoffman finds opportunity when he meets his new neighbour, who is none other than John DeLorean. Reeling from the failure of his DeLorean auto brand and in need of a quick cash injection, Hoffman proposes a drug deal worth millions. The rest, they say, is history.
Lee Pace plays DeLorean, and it is easy to see why he is so well suited to the role. Striking in look and disarming with his suave yet direct timbre, Pace’s portrayal of DeLorean is the kid of guy who could sell ice to an Eskimo. Or in his case, a stainless-steel piece of garbage to Hollywood and a gullible clientele.
Hamm and screenwriter Colin Bateman (The Journey) hammer home the point that while Hoffman and DeLorean seems miles apart, they both use tools of deception to stay ahead of the game. Granted, DeLorean had credibility to his name considering what he achieved during his time with GM. But the fact that he found himself at the mercy of conmen and drug dealers says more about the perception of his business acumen, than the reality of his ego-driven persona.
Solid support is provided by the likes of the ever-dependable Judy Greer as Joe’s ever tolerant wife, and Corey Stall as an ultra-serious FBI agent, rounds out a stellar cast. Entertaining and thought provoking, Driven is recommended for those who like their true-crime films with some flair.
