This is the kind of film that you have to review with its own soundtrack, so I’ll be splicing in my personal playlist as I talk about what makes Edgar Wright’s newest film so fascinating.
(Miami Nights 1984- Ocean Drive https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLzjm9E1hwg)
Baby Driver is a unique film in the sense of how, like its title hero behind the wheels of various getaway cars, veers between an ironic, stylized Tarantino-ish grit, and a sincere sweetness that makes its main characters more endearing. It’s a film that’s willing to take its time and develop its cast- there are only a handful of chase and action scenes, but Wright directs so much detail, humor and novel ideas towards them that the buildup almost always feels worth it.
(The Weeknd- In The Night https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLzjm9E1hwg)
Suffering from a chronic case of tinnitus caused by a tragic car accident in his youth, Baby (Ansel Elgort) plays various mixtapes to counter the constant ear ringing. They also serve as a form of escapism while he works as a getaway driver for a gang of robbers, led by crime boss Doc (Kevin Spacey, proving why he’s one of the greatest villain actors in Hollywood).
(Theophilus London- Revenge https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bd3CEswIS3Q)
It’s a reluctant job he’s taken in order to help take care of Pops (CJ Jones), his aging foster father who took in the orphaned Baby after tragedy struck. Even though he’s frequently bullied by the other gang members- including Jamie Foxx as the manic and trigger-happy Bats, Jon Hamm as the sleazy Buddy and Eiza Gonzalez as his girlfriend Darling- Baby grinds through it with his impeccable skill behind the wheel. It’s here where Bill Pope’s cinematography shines. If you’ve ever enjoyed a Burnout or Gran Turismo game when you were younger, think along those lines.
(Michael Jackson- Remember The Time https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qM19eRgOK1Q)
A casual conversation with waitress Debora (Lily James) at a local diner gives Baby hopes for something better. They quickly form a friendship rooted in their mutual love of music, which suits Baby well as he’s a secretly talented musician himself who creates his own songs out of remixes, original beats and samples from conversations he records from his day-to-day life. One scene involves him sampling rude insults directed at him by the other gangsters into a catchy tune, presenting Baby as someone who’s crafted his own, more ideal word as sanctuary from the harsher one outside.
(Calvin Harris & Ellie Goulding- Outside https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjEYCUJuh-g)
As you can imagine, Baby’s criminal connections take their toll on his and Debora’s relationship, but James and Ansel Elgort have believable chemistry between each other. Elgort doesn’t chew scenery here the way his criminal co-stars do, but he turns in a somewhat understated but still charming and sincere performance that allows the audience to rally behind Baby as he navigates his problems. It also doesn’t hurt that the villains, while entertaining and times show stealing- especially Jamie Foxx, who is deliriously over the top here- are still a bunch of backstabbing evil bastards. For all of Baby’s faults, he’s still a convincing figure that you’ll want better things for.
(Daft Punk- Giorgio By Moroder https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zhl-Cs1-sG4)
Baby Driver basically uses its softer side to balance out its harder one. The strong storyline and the engaging cast are a good counter to the deliberately cartoonish violence, crudeness, sex and mayhem prevalent. Watching it, I never felt as if the film was too attached to its more sentimental aspects or too in love with chaos. Rather, it’s an entertaining blend of humor, genuinely good drama and off the wall action. And how can I not enjoy a film that’s more than willing to get great use out of St. Louis based talent like Mr. Hamm and Mr. Jones in their respective roles? Easily recommended.