"Baby Driver" (2017)

Rating: R:15

Genre: Action, Comedy, Drama

Directed By: Edgar Wright

Written By: Edgar Wright

Released: June 28^th, 2017

Runtime: 113 minutes

Studio: Sony Pictures

Summary:

Talented getaway driver Baby (Ansel Elgort) relies on the beat of his personal soundtrack to be the best in the game. After meeting the woman (Lily James) of his dreams, he sees a chance to ditch his shady lifestyle and make a clean break. Coerced into working for a crime boss (Kevin Spacey), Baby must face the music as a doomed heist threatens his life, love and freedom.

Review:

I absolutely loved this film. I wish I had got to see it in the cinema. I must have been something to experience with all the car chases. 

Ansel Elgort is brilliant. I love this character. With the sunglasses, the no speaking, and the earphones in his ears at first impression the character comes off as very badass. Then we slowly learn about his backstory and it’s a unique one. The parents being dead is bordering on clichéd (in my opinion, forgive me if that sounds harsh) but the reason behind him constantly listening to music (he has chronic tinnitus and plays music 24/7 to drown out the constant ringing) gives it a more unique spin. I liked that he said very little. Though it must have been a challenge for Ansel Elgort to play. Most of what Baby is thinking is shown through his eyes and facial expressions. But it was a challenge that this talented actor appears to take in his stride. 

His character falls for a waitress in a diner named by Debora, played by Lily James. Their little romance is a nice contrast against the violence and action, particularly towards the end. Their story is really sweet, especially the moment when they first bond by discussing the amount of times each of their names is used in song. "You have us all beat," she tells Baby. "Every song is about you."

There is one scene in which Baby and Debora are at a launderette and in the background every washing machine is turning. The items of clothing in each are every second one of the primary colours, red, yellow and blue. I loved this scene because of this. 

The whole film is incredibly pleasing and satisfying to watch. Since Baby listens to music all the time and we are seeing the events through his eyes, we are also hearing the music that he is hearing throughout the film and the events are timed to these songs. Edgar Wright wanted the action scenes to synch up exactly with the songs’ running time. This must have posed a challenge for the editor, cinematographer, and stunt people!! The whole soundtrack plays right the way through, to the point it almost feels like listening to a playlist that just happens to have a film playing out to accompany it. It works though. There seems to be a bit of anything and everything in it too, from Queen, Ennio Morricone, The Beach Boys, The John Spencer Blues Explosion, Bob & Earl, T-Rex, R.E.M., Simon and Garfunkel, to Gwen Stafani – among many, many others. 

The film has a lot of great action sequences. They must have been unreal on the big screen. Thrilling, exciting, exhilarating – everything you look for in a car chase.

I absolutely loved this movie. I recommend it highly. 

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