Driveways

Driveways, a 2019 independent drama movie directed by Andrew Ahn, features the late Brian Dennehy as an aging widower named Del who bonds with a young boy named Cody (Lucas Jaye) and his mother, Kathy (Hong Chau), when they temporarily move next door to him.

The movie begins with Cody and his mother driving up to a nondescript rural New York house that Del had recently vacated after the passing of his wife. The two plan to clean and sell the property, which Del had lived in for many years. Initially, Del is reluctant to speak with them or even answer the door. However, he slowly agrees to let Cody mow his lawn for a measly five dollars.

As the days progress, Cody also agrees to help Del clean up his belongings before his expected move to an assisted living facility. The two bond over the sorting and sharing of memories related to Del's deceased wife. Cody even learns to play the card game solitaire and becomes a regular visitor to Del's home.

The overarching theme in Driveways is one of friendship and the emotional bond that is possible between vastly different people. With Cody, we see Del's reluctance to trust others starts to thaw. Despite their initial standoffishness, Del begins to see the gentle and loving side of Cody, and the two develop a deep connection rooted in shared experiences of grief and loss.

Hong Chau delivers a heartwarming performance as a single mother trying to provide for her son. As tensions increase between Kathy and an ex-husband who continues to intrude on their lives, we see her rely more and more on Del and Cody for support. Despite the tension back home, the emotional focus of the film remains the growing relationship between Cody and Del, as well as the bridge between the two generations.

The pacing of Driveways is slow and leisurely, but that only adds to the overall contemplative atmosphere of the movie. The film explores several themes without ever over-explaining them, and it leaves space for viewers to reflect on what the characters' experiences mean to them.

Throughout the movie, the cinematography, directed by cinematographer Ki Jin Kim, captures the essence of the film's setting. The camera frequently focuses on the natural environment, from grass-blown fields to mist-covered mountains, emphasizing the connection the characters have with nature as well as contrasting it to the impermanence of human existence. Also, the use of natural lighting with warm, soft hues of oranges softly illuminating evening settings creates a warm, inviting atmosphere that enhances the bonding moments between the characters.

The movie soundtrack includes original music composed by Jay Wadley. His work adds to the overall ambiance of the movie, with delicate piano compositions punctuating the emotional scenes beautifully. The soundtrack's mood swings gently from a sombre beat to sad with an upbeat, playful infusion of Jazz feels.

In conclusion, Driveways tells a charming, poignant story about emotional connection and the unlikely bond that forms between Cody, Del, and Kathy. It's a quiet movie that relies on character exploration rather than bombastic set pieces or conflict-driven storytelling. Anyone looking for a character-driven, emotional drama about human connection should seek out this movie.