Movies

Review: ‘The Accidental Getaway Driver’ is a real-life thriller that’s comfortable in the slow lane

BBG News

Based on a 2016 true-crime event, “The Accidental Getaway Driver” by Sing L. Lee serves as an engaging thriller that unfolds over multiple nights in Orange County, outside the city’s grid. The protagonist is a Vietnamese 75-year-old, unlicensed taxi driver living under the radar, providing rides to strangers in his worn-out beige Camry. One evening around 10 pm, Long (Hiep Tran Nghia) hesitantly agrees to drive a mysterious caller offering double pay. Slipping on a sports coat over his pajamas, Long arrives at the curb and encounters Tay (Dustin Nguyen), another Vietnamese speaker, along with two silent associates, Eddie (Phi Vu) and Aden (Dali Benssalah), who forcefully take control of his vehicle. These men have just escaped from Santa Ana’s Men’s Central Jail, making Long both their captive and their escape route. However, since the police are searching for three individuals, not four, Long becomes crucial to keeping them hidden as well.

In this production, the characters and scenarios are imaginatively created yet closely resemble actual events. The screenwriters, Lee and Christopher Chen, drew inspiration from an article by Paul Kix and chose to streamline the narrative rather than exaggerate it. This authenticity is palpable in the settings, as well as the absence of typical action-hero traits. What truly stands out, however, is the honest portrayal that the fugitives seem to lack a comprehensive plan.

In my experience, I, Aden, play the part of a father who hides the fact that things aren’t going as planned by donning a stern, mask-like demeanor. As we traverse California in our budget motels, a family dynamic unfolds: I, having once inflicted such a gruesome act, am the grumpy head of the household; Eddie, a 20-year-old involved in gang violence, is the reckless child; Tay, a man entangled in the drug world, is the compassionate caregiver with an unexpected knack for psychology. Poor Long, he’s the loyal canine who may either be left by the roadside or face euthanasia.

Movies

Following a daring breakout by three convicts from Santa Ana’s Orange County jail, the state was put under high alert. The events depicted in this escape were portrayed in a recent film at the Sundance Festival, which our dedicated reporter, Anh Do, had the chance to watch.

Instead of turning into a Liam Neeson-style action film about an elderly gunslinger, this story subtly unfolds. In between moments of danger, while men wait for updates on rewards for catching the fugitives, we discover that Nghia was once a lieutenant colonel who served with the Americans during the Vietnam War. The script by Lee and Chen is naturalistic; most of Nghia’s history isn’t explicitly stated but can be inferred from the lines etched on his face. Flashbacks provide glimpses into his past as a prisoner-of-war. Interestingly, the actor portrays both his younger and older selves, suggesting that despite his efforts to start anew overseas, Nghia remains trapped by his history. Lee’s style is subtle, but there’s a quiet irony in how Long, who tried to build a new life far away, ultimately finds himself once more captive at gunpoint.

To be frank, the script seems a bit subdued. Long appears hesitant to divulge much information to his captors. When he speaks to Tay, there’s a hint of defiance in his tone, as if asking, “Do I really have to talk to you?” He prefers to focus on driving rather than revealing more. However, he does mention the loss of two decades from his own life, which he was unable to account for to his estranged wife and children. From what I’ve gathered after reading Kix’s original report, he is referring to the war, the camp, and the journey across the ocean to reach his family’s American home. Yet, the film’s portrayal of time feels blurry and disoriented.

Surely, poverty and loneliness are their own types of confinement. Aden seems to suggest that Long should align with him; the system – cultural, financial – has oppressed them both. (There’s an intriguing scene where the two fixate silently on a salesman on TV who claims that poor people just need to repeat: “I can, I will, I must.”) Aden’s reasoning might have persuaded Bonnie towards Clyde, but Lee is conscious of the language gap that keeps them at odds. At one point, when Aden is in the midst of explaining to Long how he should act, Lee gives us a glimpse into Long’s thoughts and we hear muffled, unintelligible sounds. Perhaps Long is too agitated to concentrate or simply ignoring Aden. In any case, Aden can make as many speeches as he likes, but he cannot help Long comprehend.

The movie features numerous instances where the focus shifts between their connection or lack thereof, portrayed by characters speaking English and Vietnamese respectively. At times, the dialogue mirrors the casual language of internet users: “I see you,” “I’m so tired.” Initially, it seems as though understanding each other is a puzzling enigma, but eventually, it becomes clear that no profound revelation will unfold – the climax instead offers an intensely emotional and moving experience.

Furthermore, the ambiguity surrounding this mysterious stranger stirs up conflicting feelings among the escaped prisoners. Throughout the movie, Nghia is depicted with an open mouth and teary, blurry eyes behind thick glasses. He remains in his pajamas throughout the entire film, which could suggest that Long’s confused demeanor is a ruse to calm the gang – a disguise of feebleness. However, there are moments when Long’s vulnerability backfires, as seen when he asks for help in a hesitant manner, making it plausible for someone to think that an elderly individual requires being put to rest.

The movie appears stunning; it seems as though it was produced on a shoestring budget, yet the intricate visual elements pack a punch. Among the authentic and captivating settings, I particularly appreciate a scene showing Long driving into a worn-out shopping mall with a bakery window filled with model cakes. The cinematographer, Michael Cambio Fernandez, skillfully navigates through the darkness, illuminating characters using flashlights and headlights to bring them out of obscurity and into the light. Each character, even momentarily, evokes a glimmer of human emotion. Perhaps not all are deserving of redemption. However, these lives often overlooked deserve to be highlighted.

Read More

2025-03-02 04:31

Previous post Unlock the Secrets: Mastering Slinger Ammo in Monster Hunter Wilds!
Next post How to Get More Titles In Monster Hunter Wilds