OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)
disney+Since the beginning of cinema, there has been a space held for the convergence of visual and audial storytelling with the ability to expand and feature music with an added visual component. From recorded performances to a more complex capturing of the artist behind a discography, this relationship has grown and fluctuated over the past decade finding incredible success with a blending between the two. Allowing the showcase of an artist's work with added context given by the artist themselves, the list is endless with artists to engage in these types of projects with the newest being pop-sensation Olivia Rodrigo in Disney+'s OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film). Following the pop artist as she creates her debut album Sour, the film finds mixed results as it blends incredible performances with a somewhat lackluster sense of reflection.
What clearly works within the 76-minute feature is the art being featured. Offering Rodrigo one of the first chances she has had to challenge and evolve her music in a more cinematic setting, even for fans of the artist who can sing each song from heart, there is plenty within the film to feel fresh and stunning. Rodrigo rarely takes the easy route and instead combats her work with various styles and genres to provide emotionally compelling renditions of her music never seen before. In projects as such, many artists simply showcase their art in expected and predictable lights which, while not always poor, does sometimes feel as if they are just going through the motions. That is far from the case with Rodrigo, and it adds a further purpose and identity to the project as a whole.
What sadly doesn't work as well is the reflective side of the feature. On paper, it is hard to imagine a worse time to showcase an artist than the spot Olivia Rodrigo currently finds herself in. Still young and fresh into her career, it is hard to find much of poignance to reflect on for Rodrigo, who simply lacks the life experience needed to reflect on her career and path as a whole. She is also yet to embark on key journeys, such as live touring her album, which only furthers the lack of content she is able to provide. As a result of this, much of the emotional depth and exploration within the film feels hollow, with Rodrigo mainly repeating ideas already represented by the lyrics of her songs. While the occasional thought might stand out, it is clear that there is a lack of intent and purpose to this project that is found in other works – such as Billie Eilish: The World's a Little Blurry, which came at a point in Eilish's life where she was still young and growing, yet had enough time and experience to be able to prove reflection.
The best part of the film outside the performances comes from the flashbacks of Rodrigo actually creating the album with producer Dan Nigro. While not as engaging or enthralling as other examples of this – such as Taylor Swift's process in Miss Americana – the sheer talent and tenacity of Rodrigo who cranks chart-toppers in a matter of days as if it was casual demands nothing but respect. Seeing a young artist come to terms and define who she wants to be and what she wants her first album to represent offers unique perspectives and offers what feels like the most real and worthwhile insight into the artist of any piece found within the film.
Overall, OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film) is a film of two parts. When it is a celebration of Rodrigo's debut album with performances of the tracklist, the film is phenomenal. When it is a reflection and analysis of Rodrigo as an artist, the film feels more mediocre than anything else. For fans of the artist, OLIVIA RODRIGO: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film) might not be revolutionary but it will be undeniably worthwhile. For those not fans of Sour already, it is hard to imagine the film will achieve much.
