Driveways

....Gentle film about growing up and building relationships

Believable performances by Hong Chau as the single mum and young Lucas Jaye as her son, and both bonding well with Dennehy

Roughly an hour and twenty minutes, this movie does not waste effort or time. It is a compelling story of friendship, life choices, and aging, all accomplished in a neat and tidy little package. The acting from your three leads is terrific and the directing is on point, as the film engages the viewer in three stories about life at three distinct ages, and the opportunities that emerge for empathy and friendship between them. I recommend this film, as well as Spa Night by the same director.

When "slice of life" movies are done right, they typically rank very high on my year-end lists. Driveways isn't necessarily about one particular thing or theme. But it certainly pulls on the heartstrings, asks you to think as an audience member, and ultimately sends you off with a beautiful last 15-20 minutes or so. It reminded me of films like St. Vincent and Sunshine Cleaning in the best ways, and I'm glad that being a Film Independent Member allowed me the opportunity to see this movie so that I can hopefully spread the word to other film fans who would also enjoy it.

8.8/10

A story of the young and the old... Two souls that are in way different times of their lives, but connect to give each other something they both so desperately need, a friend. Great story, and great acting, it's a must watch.

This is the type of indie movies others should strive to be. It is such a carefully crafted piece of work that you can tell means a lot to its creators.

It is a simple story that isn't all that fresh but in other ways it is. There is lots to read into about these characters especially the young lead. They painted such a picture of this character that you infer other things that are not pointed out to you.

The way they use the costumes in the first shot to show that this family doesn't exactly have lost of money but showing us the holes in the boys top and the beat up pair of shoes on the woman feet. It is so subtle and you may miss it but it gives it so much more than just being like "We have no money, we are poor".

The score is really subtle and suits the film really well as i think that word encapsulates this whole movie. It isn't all flash and guns blazing. It has things going on in the background that are sad and heartbreaking but it doesn't bring them to the front of the movie much as i think he wanted to show that they go on in life and people don't want to talk about it.

There isn't so much of a plot as there is a theme. Time is the theme of this movie and how you wish you could slow it down or go back and change things. From the sisters not talking to the man wanting to tell his wife things.

It is really poetic and it is a shame that it has not reached a wider audience because i honestly think it does its job so well.