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Skidding into middle-age, a stay-at-home dad must drive for an Uber-like rideshare company (DriverX) to help support his working wife and two young daughters. But low pay and wild LA nights put an even greater strain on his marriage.
“DriverX” is a very current movie with a contemporary analysis of struggling under an abysmal economy and the ramifications of unorthodox means to make money. Middle-aged Leonard Moore (Patrick Fabian) is looking for work and his place in an increasingly digitized world. In the opening scene, he’s interviewing at a youthfully employed music supervision agency. His outfit and demeanor scream, “I’m over 40, but really trying to look young.” After the cringe-worthy encounter, he’s taking care of his two daughters until his wife arrives home exhausted by her day at work. They discuss their financial difficulties and he applies to an Uber-like company called ‘DriverX.’ His first night out is frustrating since he makes a lot of mistakes and deals with an irate passenger. Later on, Leonard tells passengers about how he used to own a record store and it was his true passion.
“DriverX”’s central themes are masculine identity, soul-crushing capitalism, and what roles the patriarchy expects from men and women. Leonard is constantly trying to live up to his deceased father’s manly-man gaze. When regretfully telling his neighbor that he fired his landscaper and pool guy, Leonard exclaims that his father used to do all the chores and work, a real tough guy. There are lots of drunk and entertaining passengers since it’s set in LA, one of America’s most congested cities. While the riders are a great method to learn more about Leonard, I wish the rides would’ve been a little more dark or bizarre. “DriverX” not only captures the climate of Los Angeles but also the Kafkaesque nature of work, especially at a modern silicon valley based company. When Leonard needs to file an insurance claim at DriverX’s office, he’s greeted by a flat screen with a woman’s face mounted on a Segway. It is a hilarious scene especially when he’s asking for a supervisor (ideally someone in completely human form) she retorts “there are no managers here, we are all members.”
Patrick Fabian who plays Leonard is truly in the driver’s seat (pun intended) appearing in almost every frame. His work on the tremendous “Better Call Saul” is also worth mentioning where he’s first introduced as a smarmy callous lawyer. As the story progresses he’s revealed to be much less antagonistic but instead just another complicated human being. I wish the movie was a bit more up to speed with his performance but overall it was still an enjoyable experience.
In theaters Friday, November 30th
