Daddio

I thoroughly enjoyed this film. Despite being confined to the setting of a taxi, the movie never felt tedious. The storyline may not be to everyone's taste, but if you are open to a dialogue-oriented film and everyday themes, you can certainly appreciate what this film has to offer.

For me, it was an engaging film that captured a variety of themes: generational differences, digital versus analog communication, "daddy issues," and the importance of human connection, to name a few. Ultimately, the film thrives on the authentic performances of its two main actors. *Daddio* is a thought-provoking and intimate exploration of human connection that proves sometimes the most profound conversations can happen in the most unexpected places.

I saw Daddio with a multigenerational group of people a few days ago. It is more powerful, poignant, intriguing, insightful, and engaging than I expected, given that there are just two main characters in the film. Turns out there was a wealth of emotion, humanity and dissonant "wisdom" revealed during the interplay of the actors portraying these two characters. The movie sparked a lot of conversation, reflection, and varied perspectives among the members of our movie going group. All of us were unified in praising the striking nature of the dialogue, the unique nature of the production, and the fantastic performances of Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson in this film.

Greetings again from the darkness. "MY DINNER WITH ANDRE in a NYC taxi cab." That's my description of writer-director Christy Hall's first feature film. Of course, that's an over-simplification, as her film deals with gender roles, socio-economic topics, and a big ol' dose of emotional baggage. It's what's known in the business as a two-hander. We have two characters and one setting and a whole bunch of talking. Casting being crucial here, filmmaker Hall did choose wisely with Dakota Johnson and two-time Oscar winner Sean Penn.

Johnson's character (billed only as "Girlie") arrives at JFK airport and catches a cab to midtown. She and the driver, Clark (Penn) exchange generic banter, but soon enough Clark breaks the barrier by stunning her with his analysis of her situation, based on observation skills honed through 20 years of driving a NYC cab. He's been around the proverbial block a few times and Penn is permitted to work in a monologue about his disappointment with humanity, commerce, and technology. We learn he views himself as a common man 'Vinny', and we learn she's a coder by profession - as well as a nail biter who's texting a mysterious man - a man not shy in pleading with her for a sext.

A traffic jam on the highway stalls the trip, but accelerates the conversation. Clark gets more inside info from the woman he's determined "can handle yourself", and their quasi - quid pro quo spills more beans than either would typically open up about in normal circumstances. Her recent two-week trip to Oklahoma was to visit her estranged half-sister ... a trip that holds yet another twisty secret that she's surprised at herself for disclosing. Clark is not shy about dishing out armchair psychology advice, much of it based on his own past mistakes. Cheaters, specifically the difference between adulterous men and women, is a topic close to both of these folks, and Clark rambles on.

Dakota Johnson (thriving in indies) is truly at her best when she has minimal dialogue, and much is demanded of her facial expressions and body language (this is a compliment). Sean Penn thrives in a role where he is doling out free advice, and keeping score based on personal details provided. These two actors are the reason this film works, however, it seems clear this movie fits neatly into a festival circuit, while likely having little mainstream appeal.

Opens in theaters on June 28, 2024.

"Daddio" is a movie that tries to promote meaningful conversation, which is really needed in this day and age, but comes off extremely pervy creepy at times. But for all the pervy creepy moments, many of their conversations are sincere. Sean Penn delivers a great performance. Dakota Johnson does well in her role as the cabby's passenger. Their banter comes off as a natural conversation among two complete strangers. Some of what Penn's "Clark" tries to convey is meant to give much needed advice to a woman lost in a relationship going nowhere. At times, Johnson's "Girlie" seems to take that advice and immediately toss it out the window. Ultimately, they share a bond of two strangers who will probably never meet again, but both will keep the memory of the night's conversations in their hearts forever.

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8.0 stars.

This is a film that everyone must see at least once. This is where you take your troubles and dreams and talk to someone you love and trust, and tell them about a person in your life called Daddio.

What a compelling story about a complex woman and a down-to-earth taxi driver. As they continue to talk, he pulls all of her sorrows out of her and it's all on the table for discussion and healing. But she is not just an ordinary woman, she's also a person of great empathy and she will win this game of honest discourse and reparation of the soul.

I was profoundly touched by these two wonderful actors.