Every now and again Lifetime surprises with movies that are astonishingly earnest, heartfelt, and worthy. Failing that, sometimes a Lifetime original will manage to be unexpectedly fun - rife with an unmistakable lack of nuance, but with just enough solid writing, acting, or otherwise craft to be noteworthy. 'Driven to kill,' also known as 'Wheels of beauty,' does not fall into either of these categories. This is something else entirely: a picture so unbelievably blunt, forthright, contrived, full of tropes, and over the top that it becomes delightfully enjoyable because, purposefully or not, it's hilarious.
It's not enough to say 'Driven to kill' lacks subtlety - it wholeheartedly rejects it, in every possible way. In the brusque and straightforward editing, and the plainspoken direction. In the thin and flat characters, wholly ridiculous dialogue, predictable narrative thrust, and ham-handed scene writing. In most every shot, and the arrangement of each scene, not least of all where there's an opportunity to emphasize the lead character's femininity and or physical appearance. In the performances, especially those of Shelby Yardley as she leans into the preposterous naivete of protagonist Brittany, and Philip Boyd as antagonist Andrew, violently mercurial. In the lighting, set design and decoration, costume design, unrealistically impeccable makeup, camerawork (including aerials), and all else. Truth be told, when all is said and done - 'Driven to kill' is so completely curt and candid that it's impossible to swallow the notion that the movie's construction could be anything other than a cheeky, conscious decision. And, oh, how I appreciate that slant.
I've said it before, and I'll gladly say it again for it most certainly applies here: Lifetime thrillers are to drama as B-movies are to horror. It's a subgenre that's built on playful, irreverent, tactless consideration of any possible story idea, and that totally leans into its approach. And that's the key - consider this as a sincere, serious piece of cinema, and of course it's utter nonsense, deserving of the greatest derision. Enter with an open mind, and or the presupposition of what Lifetime can sometimes achieve - well, then just sit back, relax, and laugh away your cares with an incredible joy ride (pun fully intended).
Provided one is on board with the calculated indelicacies and inelegance, from beginning to end, this is robustly funny and entertaining. I'd have no qualms about recommending it to just about anyone - it's just that much of a good time. I could easily write more or provide examples, but I don't want to risk betraying any foreknowledge. All I can say is that if you're receptive to films of any genre that are unabashedly flippant and impudent in their audacious disdain for storytelling convention, then 'Driven to kill' needs to be at the front of the pack for your watch list.
Two cheerfully bemused thumbs up!
