Feature Film Review
Film Info:
At this driving school, the only thing more dangerous than the learning curves are the instructors! Written By: Bryan Preston, Dave Spencer Directed By: Mark Colegrove Genre: Comedy 95 Minutes |
DRIVEN TO SUCCEED ( 2015 )
If you're into ridiculous slap-stick-dirty, a-la old school favorites such as the original "American Pie", or even to some extent classic Sandler or Jim Carrey films, "Driven To Succeed" is probably right up your alley. This is one of those films that remind you you're in it for a good time and not to over think things. The characters are stupidly unrealistic and put into situations that are ludicrous. We don't have the next "global inspirational film" here, we have a good fun time. You may be thinking Bryan Preston and Dave Spencer have penned a comedy revolving around a driving school, but you'd only be half right. Don't listen to the marketing or title of the movie, the driving school aspect doesn't even come close to making up the entire film. It acts more like a springboard to the comedic situations that arise. Although the driving school segments are funny, they begin to get old fast which is why switching gears was a smart move. Aside from the schooling aspect this film has multiple scenes and situations... and even a lame (but hilarious) surprise ending that's sure to please; or at the very least leave you scratching your head. As a full package deal "Driven To Succeed" does just that. If you don't laugh... you're made of stone.
On the technical front this really is a mixed bag. Times exist in "Driven To Succeed" that come across as highly technical and masterful. Then, the next scene rolls around and "Indie" pops out left, right and center. We have an excellently composed shot and then, right after that a blown out, shaky segment. Truth be told it's not really that bad, since you're usually busy laughing or groaning at the onscreen action. Still though, I sometimes felt that about 20 percent of the movie was rushed to completion, and no thoughts were given to some shots except to simply get them done. If the entire film adhered to the standards of the better segments, we could have scored a perfect film. It really was that funny! The cast pulled off their cheesy, cornball stupidity with seeming ease. Something that should be commended since playing the idiot can be tough. This is all pulled together with some quick editing that actually enhances the comedy adding a nice pace to the film. Overall, for what it is, "Driven To Succeed" has all the parts in all the right places. In another film the post-work could have bombed it. Here, in this film, everything comes out A-OK. "Driven To Succeed" isn't one of those movies everyone will like. It's a silly based comedy designed to make a certain group of people laugh. If you think farts are funny... you'll probably enjoy this. If, at any point in time you can suspend reality for the sake of being entertained... you'll be just that. I personally love this style of humor and although this isn't a perfect film, what it lacks in technical terms it more than makes up for in funny content. So if this is your thing why not give them a like on Facebook? Follow along and when the time comes have a gander. You'll like what you see. -JT Other Reviews That May Interest You
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