Caradise Best of 2023 – Caradise Movie Festival: Ryusuke Hamaguchi’s ‘Drive My Car’
Best of The Caradise 2023
Our May entry for our Movie Festival is “Drive My Car,” directed by Ryusuke Hamaguchi. It is a captivating Japanese film that explores the complexities of human relationships, grief, and the healing power of art. Adapted from a short story by Haruki Murakami, the movie presents a delicate narrative, expertly weaving together emotions and personal transformations. In this essay, we will delve into the unique cinematic experience that “Drive My Car” offers, highlighting the notable presence of the Saab 900 Turbo
The film revolves around the central character, Yusuke Kafuku, a renowned theater director, as he navigates through the aftermath of a personal tragedy. The plot takes an unexpected turn when Yusuke hires a driver, Misaki, played by Toko Miura, who introduces him to her enigmatic friend, Koji, portrayed by Masaki Okada. Throughout the film, the audience witnesses the gradual unraveling of complex emotions, as the characters embark on a journey of self-discovery and healing.
One intriguing aspect of “Drive My Car” is the considerable screen time given to the 1988 Saab 900 Turbo, a 35-year-old left-hand drive Swedish car. The film frequently showcases the car, capturing its timeless elegance and symbolic significance. Interestingly, the script barely acknowledges the rarity of driving such a vehicle in Japan. This intentional decision by the director can be interpreted as a visual metaphor, highlighting the characters’ isolation and their longing for something beyond their immediate surroundings.
Visually, the shots of the car driving around are masterful. The director picked a flawless Bright Red 1988 Saab 900 Turbo. If you are expecting an explanation of the car’s origin, it never comes. The characters only acknowledge the car on a 2-3 lines of dialogue, that last a few seconds. There are convoluted reasons why the main character ‘needs’ a driver during the play. But strangely, the hired driver doesn’t even blink at the glance of an over 3-decade-old Swedish car in a province of Japan with the steering wheel on the left side.
However, every time the car is on the screen, which is quite a lot, either no other cars are around, or only black, white and grey cars drive around it. Your eyes are always focused on the Saab. The car first becomes a ‘Green Room’ to prepare for the play, then later, a confessional of sorts. I lusted for the Saab at every scene (I have my own Blue 1986 Saab 900 Turbo SPG), and cringed at the scene that implies the car is in a crash (we don’t see the damage on the Saab) and also I cringed a bit during the smoking and driving scene. Smoking, featured a lot, is some sort of signal the characters are processing something.
The director’s cut version, with a runtime of 2 hours and 45 minutes, allows ample time for character development and introspection. The extended duration enables the audience to immerse themselves in the emotions of the characters and experience the film’s subtleties more deeply. It burns very slow. It is not your typical car movie, for sure. To be honest, I finished it over 2 evenings.
Instead, “Drive My Car” is a captivating Japanese film that offers a profound exploration of human emotions, relationships, and the healing power of art. The Saab 900 Turbo’s presence, despite the script’s minimal acknowledgment of its rarity in Japan, serves as a visual metaphor for the characters’ longing and isolation. Watch and enjoy the Saab, it is the star of the show.
