Drunk Bus

Last updated
Drunk Bus
DrunkBusPoster.jpeg
Promotional poster
Directed by
  • John Carlucci
  • Brandon LaGanke
Written byChris Molinaro
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLuke McCoubrey
Edited byTaylor Levy
Music by
Production
companies
  • Ghost+Cow Films
  • Hollenbeck Film and Experience
Distributed by FilmRise
Release dates
  • October 15, 2020 (2020-10-15)(SDIFF) [1]
  • May 21, 2021 (2021-05-21)(United States)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Drunk Bus is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke and starring Charlie Tahan and Kara Hayward. It is Carlucci and LaGanke's directorial debut. [2] [3] The film was released on May 20, 2021, and received positive reviews from critics.

Contents

Plot

Michael, a recent college graduate, finds himself stuck as a bus driver for a party school in Ohio after failing to pursue his dream of becoming a photographer. He spends his nights driving the "drunk bus," shuttling intoxicated students back to their dorms from parties.

Following a violent incident on the bus, Michael's boss hires Pineapple, an imposing man with Maori face tattoos and piercings, as his security. Despite his initial intimidation, Michael discovers Pineapple's kind and insightful nature. As they spend time together, an unlikely friendship forms, and Pineapple provides Michael with valuable life advice, prompting him to reconsider his perspective.

Simultaneously, Michael deals with the aftermath of a painful breakup while trying to find his place in the world. Amy, his ex-girlfriend, returns to their college town from New York, adding complexity to his emotional journey. Struggling between his past and future, Michael must confront his feelings for Amy and decide on his true desires. As he grapples with these challenges, he faces a critical choice: continue his dead-end job or take a leap of faith to pursue his writing dreams and leave the "drunk bus" behind.

Cast

Production

Carlucci and LaGanke originally wanted to shoot the film in Kent, Ohio, where they are from, but were convinced by producer Eric Hollenbeck, a native of Elmira, New York, that Rochester, New York would be a cheaper option with a similar aesthetic. [5] Principal photography began on March 1, 2019, in Rochester, [6] and wrapped on March 18. [7]

Release

The film was to have made its worldwide premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020. [8] [9] [10] [11] However, the SXSW Festival was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, thus postponing the premiere of Drunk Bus. [12] [13] [14] On October 15, 2020, the film premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival. [1]

In January 2021, FilmRise acquired North American distribution rights to the film. [15] [16]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Fueled by a blend of rowdy comedy and poignant drama, Drunk Bus takes audiences on an uncommonly rewarding coming-of-age journey." [17] According to Metacritic, which assigned a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 11 critics, the film received "generally favorable reviews". [18]

In her review for The Guardian , Phuong Le praised the "slacker comedy" for its ability to avoid feeling "grating" despite its over-familiar indie elements. She highlighted the film's believable performances and deep understanding of the setting in Kent, Ohio, which lent it a "cheeriness that is both entertaining and heartwarming". She also praised how the portrayal of the character Pineapple skillfully avoided falling into the "Magical Negro" trope. Le rated the film 3 out of 5 stars. [19]

Monica Castillo of RogerEbert.com rated Drunk Bus 3 out of 4 stars and described it as a "sweet, late bloomer coming-of-age comedy". She praised the film's ability to surprise viewers by subverting expectations and highlighted its sincere exploration of trust and healing, as well as the standout performances of the main cast. [20]

Boston Herald rated the film A−. They praised the film's perfect casting, memorable secondary characters, and the standout performance of Pineapple Tangaroa. [21]

Sandy Schaefer of Screen Rant awarded the film three stars out of five, saying: "Thanks to its charming cast and even-handed blend of laughs and drama, Drunk Bus generally succeeds in putting a fresh spin on its familiar story." [22]

Accolades

Drunk Bus won the Best Narrative Feature Award from both the Jury and the Audience at the 2020 San Diego International Film Festival. [23]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adam Sandler</span> American comedian and actor (born 1966)

Adam Richard Sandler is an American actor and comedian. Primarily a comedic leading actor in films, his accolades include nominations for three Grammy Awards, five Primetime Emmy Awards, a Golden Globe Award, and a Screen Actors Guild Award. In 2023, Sandler was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

<i>Tadpole</i> (film) 2002 film by Gary Winick

Tadpole is a 2002 American romantic comedy film directed by Gary Winick, written by Heather McGowan and Niels Mueller, and starring Sigourney Weaver, Bebe Neuwirth, Aaron Stanford, John Ritter, Robert Iler, and Kate Mara.

<i>Punch-Drunk Love</i> 2002 film by Paul Thomas Anderson

Punch-Drunk Love is a 2002 American absurdist romantic comedy-drama film written and directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, and starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson and Philip Seymour Hoffman. It follows an entrepreneur with social anxiety who falls in love with his sister's co-worker. The film was produced by Revolution Studios and New Line Cinema, and distributed by Columbia Pictures.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Gordon Green</span> American filmmaker

David Gordon Green is an American filmmaker.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Justin Chatwin</span> Canadian actor

Justin Chatwin is a Canadian actor. He began his career in 2001 with a brief appearance in the musical comedy Josie and the Pussycats. Following his breakthrough role as Robbie Ferrier in the blockbuster War of the Worlds (2005), Chatwin headlined studio films such as The Invisible (2007) and Dragonball Evolution (2009), an action-adventure feature based on the manga series Dragon Ball. In the 2010s, Chatwin acted in small independent films. He starred as rock star idol Bobby Shore in the sci-fi musical Bang Bang Baby (2014), which earned him a Canadian Screen Awards nomination for Best Supporting Actor, and appeared in the romantic comedy Unleashed (2016), and drama Summer Night (2019).

<i>Baghead</i> 2008 American film

Baghead is a 2008 comedy horror film written and directed by Jay and Mark Duplass. The film stars Ross Partridge, Elise Muller, Greta Gerwig, and Steve Zissis. The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2008. The film was given a limited release by Sony Pictures Classics on July 13, 2008.

<i>Shame</i> (2011 film) 2011 film by Steve McQueen

Shame is a 2011 British erotic psychological drama film, set in New York, directed by Steve McQueen, co-written by McQueen and Abi Morgan, and starring Michael Fassbender and Carey Mulligan as grown siblings. It was co-produced by Film4 and See-Saw Films. The film's explicit scenes reflecting the protagonist's sexual addiction resulted in a rating of NC-17 in the United States. Shame was released in the United Kingdom on 13 January 2012. It received generally positive reviews, with praise for Fassbender's and Mulligan's performances, realistic depiction of sexual addiction, and direction.

<i>Seven Psychopaths</i> 2012 film by Martin McDonagh

Seven Psychopaths is a 2012 satirical crime comedy-drama film directed, written, and co-produced by Martin McDonagh and starring Colin Farrell, Sam Rockwell, Woody Harrelson, and Christopher Walken, with Tom Waits, Abbie Cornish, Olga Kurylenko, and Željko Ivanek in supporting roles. The film marks the second collaboration among McDonagh, Farrell, and Ivanek, following the director's In Bruges (2008). It is a co-production of the United States and the United Kingdom.

<i>Love & Air Sex</i> 2013 American film

Love & Air Sex, formerly known as The Bounceback, is an American romantic comedy film directed by Bryan Poyser and written by Poyser, David DeGrow Shotwell, and Steven Walters. The film stars Sara Paxton, Ashley Bell, Zach Cregger, and Michael Stahl-David. The film premiered at the 2013 SXSW Film Festival and was picked up by Tribeca Film for a U.S. day-and-date release. The film won awards for "Best Writing" at the 2013 Gen Art Film Festival and "Best Ensemble Cast" at the 2013 Napa Valley Film Festival.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlie Plummer</span> American actor (born 1999)

Charlie Faulkner Plummer is an American actor. Plummer began his career as a child actor in short films and made his feature film debut in David Chase's drama Not Fade Away (2012) before landing the lead role in Felix Thompson's directorial debut King Jack (2015). In 2017, he gained wider recognition for his supporting role in Ridley Scott's crime thriller All the Money in the World and his lead role in Andrew Haigh's drama Lean on Pete. His performance in the latter garnered critical praise and earned him the Marcello Mastroianni Award for best emerging actor at the 74th Venice Film Festival.

<i>Rainbow Time</i> 2016 American film

Rainbow Time is a 2016 American comedy-drama film written and directed by Linas Phillips. The film stars Phillips, Melanie Lynskey, Timm Sharp, Tobin Bell, Jay Duplass, Lauren Weedman and Artemis Pebdani. Mark Duplass, and Jay Duplass serve as executive producers on the film, through their Duplass Brothers Productions banner.

<i>Bad Trip</i> (film) 2021 film directed by Kitao Sakurai

Bad Trip is a 2021 American hidden camera comedy film directed by Kitao Sakurai. The film follows two best friends who take a road trip from Florida to New York City so one of them can declare his love for his high school crush, all the while being chased by the other's criminal sister, whose car they have stolen for the trip.

<i>Come as You Are</i> (2019 film) American comedy-drama film

Come as You Are is a 2019 American comedy drama film directed by Richard Wong and starring Grant Rosenmeyer, Hayden Szeto, Ravi Patel and Gabourey Sidibe. Produced and financed by Chicago Media Angels and The Blacklist, it is a remake of the 2011 Belgian film Hasta la Vista. The plot concerns three friends who, along with a hired driver, set out for a brothel in Montreal that caters to people with disabilities.

<i>The Nowhere Inn</i> 2020 American film

The Nowhere Inn is a 2020 American mockumentary psychological thriller-comedy film directed by Bill Benz from a screenplay by Annie Clark and Carrie Brownstein. It stars Clark, Brownstein and Dakota Johnson.

<i>Get Duked!</i> 2019 British comedy film

Get Duked! is a 2019 British black comedy film written and directed by Ninian Doff in his feature directorial debut, and starring Eddie Izzard. The film premiered at the 2019 South by Southwest Film Festival and was released by Amazon Studios on Amazon Prime Video on 28 August 2020.

Karen Maine is an American film director and screenwriter known for Obvious Child and Yes, God, Yes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Sennott</span> American actress, comedian and screenwriter (born 1995)

Rachel Anne Sennott is an American actress, comedian and screenwriter. She is best known for her starring roles in the films Shiva Baby (2020), Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022), and Bottoms (2023) and in the HBO drama series The Idol (2023).

<i>Fire Island</i> (film) 2022 film directed by Andrew Ahn

Fire Island is a 2022 American romantic comedy film directed by Andrew Ahn, and written by and starring Joel Kim Booster. The film co-stars Bowen Yang, Conrad Ricamora, James Scully, and Margaret Cho. Inspired by Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice, the story follows a group of gay friends who go on vacation to Fire Island, only for things to become complicated by classism and romance.

<i>I Love My Dad</i> 2022 American film by James Morosini

I Love My Dad is a 2022 American comedy film written and directed by James Morosini, inspired by actual events in his life. It stars Patton Oswalt, Morosini, and Claudia Sulewski. The film premiered at South by Southwest on March 12, 2022, and in theaters in the United States on August 5, 2022.

References

  1. 1 2 "The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival". San Diego Magazine. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. ↑ Goldrich, Robert (21 February 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke, John Carlucci Drive "Drunk Bus" To SXSW Fest". Shoot (advertising magazine) . Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. ↑ Wojnar, Zak (25 March 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke And John Carlucci Interview: Drunk Bus". Screen Rant . Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  4. ↑ "'Drunk Bus' takes viewers on an epically funny ride". 21 May 2021.
  5. ↑ "Movie filmed in Rochester and starring Charlie Tahan, Will Forte to be screened at Little".
  6. ↑ Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". WHAM-TV . Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  7. ↑ Carlson, Cody (18 March 2019). "Filming For Upcoming Movie Wraps up in Montour Falls". WENY-TV . Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  8. ↑ Lanier, Hunter (22 March 2020). "Drunk Bus". Film Threat . Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  9. ↑ "FRANK IERO WILL APPEAR IN A NEW MOVIE PREMIERING AT SXSW". Kerrang!. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  10. ↑ Quiles, Alyssa (15 January 2020). "FRANK IERO TO APPEAR IN COMEDY-DRAMA 'DRUNK BUS' PREMIERING AT SXSW". Alternative Press . Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  11. ↑ Trapp, Philip (16 January 2020). "My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero to Appear in New Movie at South by Southwest". Loudwire . Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  12. ↑ ""Drunk Bus" Star Charlie Tahan On His Comedy Alongside Directors John Carlucci & Brandon LaGanke". Yahoo!. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  13. ↑ "Coronavirus Hits Indie Films". Cheddar (TV channel). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  14. ↑ Eakin, Marah (16 April 2020). "Dave Hill and the Drunk Bus directors on booze, poop, and Devo". The A.V. Club . Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  15. ↑ Prange, Stephanie (18 January 2021). "FilmRise Acquires Feature 'Drunk Bus'". Media Play News . Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  16. ↑ Wiseman, Andreas (15 January 2021). "'Drunk Bus' North America Deal; Pact For 'Bisping' UFC Doc; Liquid Media Group CEO — North America Briefs". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  17. ↑ "Drunk Bus (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes . Fandango . Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Drunk Bus Reviews". Metacritic . Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  19. ↑ Le, Phuong (2021-05-25). "Drunk Bus review – endearing odd couple keep slacker comedy on track". The Guardian. ISSN   0261-3077 . Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  20. ↑ Castillo, Monica. "Drunk Bus movie review & film summary (2021) | Roger Ebert". RogerEbert.com . Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  21. ↑ By (2021-05-21). "'Drunk Bus' takes viewers on an epically funny ride". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2023-07-19.
  22. ↑ Schaefer, Sandy (17 March 2020). "Drunk Bus Review: Charming Cast Leads Adventureland-Style Comedy". Screen Rant . Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  23. ↑ "2020 Filmmaker Awards | San Diego International Film Festival". 2020-10-21. Archived from the original on 2020-10-23. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.