Drive Back Home

I watched this film at its World Premiere and I laughed, cried, and left with deep empathy. And I was also thoroughly entertained. It's filled with incredible performances and beautiful cinematography. It's a family road trip film with incredible heart about subject matter of love, acceptance and forgiveness. The leads both give powerful and nuanced performances while also being comedic. This story is based on true events and gives insight into the history of the politics in the 1970s. The production design and costumes brings the audience back to the past. And the ending will leave you with joy in your heart.

In terrific 1970-based Canadian drama "Drive Back Home" gruff blue-collar Charlie Creed-Miles drives from his rural New Brunswick village to the city of Ontario (over 900 miles away) to pick up and bring home his estranged, gay, alcoholic brother Alan Cumming who's been arrested for 'lewd behaviour'. In a hallmark of a fine film writer / director Michael Clowater's first full movie has a little of everything: charm, depth, tension, emotion, and plenty of laugh out louds moments - all boosted by Creed-Miles & Cumming's fine performances (well supported by the likes of Clare Coulter & Sprague Gayden). Gentle yet strong, unpretentious, understated, funny, and very good.

Drive back Home is set in the 1970s. We follow Weldon as he goes a small town in America in a broken-down truck to get his gay "estranged" brother Perley out of jail in Ontario.

It a movie of watching the life events of a gay man in the 1970 and a relationship fostering between brothers.

The movie is filmed and choreographed similar to movies like Submarine by Alex Turner or A24 movies, so it is slow paced but also does not feel like a drag. The acting was good. Score was okay. My background favorite part of the movie was how it truly felt like we were taken back in time, by the language and actions used, clothes worn and the radio conversations.

I don't normally write reviews but this was a lovely little indie piece and seeing some of the low scores is ridiculous, It's a classic road movie exploring prejudice and relationships in rural 70's Canada with the scenery and soundtrack to add to the storytelling.

As with any good film it does fit an obvious genre. Like life there's comedy and tragedy but mainly it's about a time and a place and attitudes that seem archaic now but still had to be overcome.

Alan Cummings is perfectly cast. I was not aware of any of the other actors before viewing but everyone gave the sort of performance that allows full immersion in the story.

I'm lucky if I find ten or so of these movies a year but it does make sitting through a lot of tripe worth while.

Enjoy.