'Drive All Night': Indie Film Review
Peter Hsieh wrote and directed the fantastic neo-noir film, Drive All Night. In it, we tag along with solitary taxi driver Dave as he picks up a mysterious passenger. The young woman, Cara, takes Dave on an all-night odyssey through Los Angeles. Dave is concerned with the lack of direction from his passenger. He reminds Cara that the meter will be running regardless. She is not bothered by this. Then she asks him to stop at a local bar featuring several classic video games.
This is the first stop of many for Cara and Dave as she directs him through the city on a series of increasingly surreal ventures. Dave is increasingly fascinated by Cara’s arcade video game knowledge and prowess. Cara quizzes Dave about his life and ambitions while not revealing any of these facts about herself. Dave has a thing for Morgan, a waitress at his usual late-night spot. He hangs out there with a regular crowd of fellow graveyard shift drivers before heading out into the night.
Meanwhile, Cara is in danger. She seems to be unaware that a man is shadowing her. A creepy older man in a suit is obsessed with finding Cara. This Big Boss hires a hitman, Lenny, who is himself plagued with visions that drive his sense of urgency in his mission.
Their adventure is itself interspersed with dreams of a mysterious blue door and other foreboding images. Dave seems to lose time, too, with the film jumping ahead just a few frames, illustrating his delirium. The late nights and isolation are clearly wearing him down, though he does not see it right away. An interesting exchange between Cara and Morgan reveals an obsessive, possessive streak within the latter. Cara is falling for Dave. Our protagonists become close as they continue on their journey, hurtling them ever closer to a potential confrontation with Lenny and that mysterious door.
Arcade games and concepts heavily influence the movie. Each stop represents an increasing level of mystery and difficulty as the night progresses. Hsieh’s extensive background in theater is evident in the framing of each scene. Principal photography occurred prior to the pandemic in August of 2019. The team completed several days of pick-up shots and ADR in November of that same year. Though there are a few slow spots, the cinematography is excellent. Dan Edwards’ color palette partnered with Director of Photography, William Hellmuth, give the movie a wonderfully surreal, otherworldly feel.
Wayne Cheng and Robert Daniel Thomas created the magnificent soundscape for this dreamlike version of a Southern California city. Their contribution alone makes this film worthy of one’s time. The dialogue throughout the film, though, is a bit cliché. Then again, what else should one expect from the characters ripped from old-school games?
With the current slate of breakout Asian stars receiving Oscar nominations this year, it is nice to see the indie film scene showcase budding Asian talent as well. Drive All Night stars Yutaka Takeuchi as Dave and Lexy Hammonds as Cara. Sarah Dumont and Johnny Gilligan also star in the film. The movie is an official selection for the Cinequest Film & Creativity Festival. That festival will be held virtually from March 20 – 30.
Hsieh’s other feature-length screenplays, Super Turbo Overdrive and The Statue Gardens,are currently competing in festival circuits as well. Thus far, they have won several accolades, including Best Feature Screenplay RED International Screenplay Festival, Best Dark Comedy Screenplay Los Angeles Film Awards, Best Comedy Screenplay Prague International Monthly Film Festival, Best Comedy Screenplay Die Laughing Film Festival, and Best Feature Screenplay Five Continents International Film Festival.
