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Parents' Guide to

Driven

By Tara McNamara, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Crime, coke, cursing in cautionary car mogul tale.

Movie R 2019 108 minutes
Driven Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 17+

Based on 1 parent review

Ken R.
Ken R. Adult
July 15, 2022
age 17+

Driven - The Overdrive Slows it Down Badly

While the subject is basically interesting the screenplay and direction for this treatment leave much to be desired. The fact alone, that almost all characters involved are unlikeable will put it at odds with many audiences. Then, trying to squeeze some worthy personality elements from egotistical mainstream conmen (auto magnate John DeLorean, etc) and small-time boy-next-door drug runner (John Hoffman) is a stretch anyway. Performances are mostly on the mark but the potty-mouthed crude dialogue is often overdone and unnecessary. The cars are cool and the production is agreeable but it often feels too far removed from its factual background to remain engaging, and somehow, the pacing makes the whole thing seem much longer than it actually is – this makes for not a good feel.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much consumerism
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
See all 1 parent review

What's the Story?

Based on real events, DRIVEN is about the relationship of automotive innovator John DeLorean (Lee Pace) and his neighbor, Jim Hoffman (Jason Sudeikis), a drug smuggler-turned-government informant. As the dashing auto exec's dream of becoming the first independent car manufacturer starts to buckle under financial stress, he turns to his friend for an alternative revenue stream.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (1 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

If you're looking for the truth about what happened to John DeLorean, put on the brakes. But if you're looking for an example of how the American dream can be achieved or derailed, Driven hums as a cautionary tale. DeLorean's story is bigger than two hours; he spent more than a decade climbing to power on a slippery slope. But the film makes it appear that the arrogant entrepreneur was a rookie in the world of shady deals with criminals, rather than the regular player that history shows he was. Director Nick Hamm hones in on the mogul's toxic friendship with Hoffman, his neighbor with a checkered past. Hamm paints them both as far more sympathetic than either likely deserves.

It's like Dirty Rotten Scoundrels: Real Life, with both men portrayed as charming and empathetic rogues who simply made a few iffy decisions and now are trying to right the ship. Both hit their moment of absolute desperation at the same time and see the other as a lifeline to escape. Other parties had a role to play in this story as well: the wives, the FBI agent arranging the sting, and a couple of drug smugglers. The film gets really chewy when you start to analyze it on an ethics and culpability scale: Who's "good," who's "bad," and who's complicit?

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the main characters in Driven. What made their friendship toxic? How would you describe each of them?

  • Based on the film, do you think DeLorean was framed? Do you think he was not guilty? Can you be framed and also be guilty?

  • How is drug use depicted in the film? Do you think it's glamorized? How about smoking and drinking? Are there consequences for substance use? Why does that matter?

  • How is wealth shown in the movie? How did DeLorean's appearance of being rich help him secure investors? What assumptions do people tend to make about someone who appears to be rich?

  • How accurate do you think this film is to what really happened? Why might filmmakers choose to alter the facts in movies based on real stories?

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