SDIFF 2020: Drunk Bus
sdiff 2020Whilst it is typical for road trip films to find an emotional breakthrough by throwing their characters on a long journey into new lands, Drunk Bus both literally and thematically sticks its characters in an endless route that is all too familiar. The film follows a young man named Michael (Charlie Tahan) who is going through life confused and frustrated. Working as a bus driver, Michael drives the same route every night haunted by past relationships and a general lack of momentum in his life; this is pushed when he meets a man named Pineapple (Pineapple Tangaroa) who is hired to protect Michael after an incident on the bus. Pineapple and Michael strike a friendship and push each other's positions on life, leading to growth from both men. Though nothing revolutionary, Drunk Bus is an incredibly enjoyable comedy with enough of an emotional backbone to feel like a worthwhile viewing experience.
Perhaps the biggest weapon that Drunk Bus has are the performances from Charlie Tahan and Pineapple Tangaroa. This oddball pairing might not have many sides to their friendship that feel completely original, but their bizarre chemistry is undeniable. Both actors are able to buy into the silliness of their characters while keeping their deeper emotional cores alive. Neither actor has to go too over the top either, both have a clear control over their performances and how they choose to express themselves often choosing subtle facial reactions and ways of delivering lines rather than exaggerated emotion. Both actors truly transform into their characters and embody them to an impressive degree.
The emotion feels equally authentic. Where, again, no thesis that the film reaches truly is breaking new ground, the film is far from a thematic failure. The sense of being stuck in one place too long with the skeletons of the life lived there holding a weight against oneself will stand out as all too real for some audience members. The scars that the characters are dealing with are genuine expressions of pain and sorrow that help the film carry a sting that will stick with audiences despite the movie feeling a bit paint by numbers at times. The actual setting of the film is also the perfect mix of casual reality and beauty. Whilst on paper the setting sounds decently average — a cold town in the middle of winter — the cinematography from Luke McCoubrey captures the life of this setting. Drunk Bus, overall, is a grand accomplishment in finding the life and thematic depth of the everyday world.
Drunk Bus might not reinvent the wheel, but it is an undeniably enjoyable ride. With a pair of excellent performances and a well crafted screenplay, Drunk Bus is an easy recommendation. Not only does the film carry genuinely funny comedy, but it also has deeper emotions that will resonate with audiences long after the runtime ends.
