Who's Driving Doug (2016)

Nice effects though.

Absolutely Fantastic

The performances transcend the film's tropes, grounding it in characters that feel more complete than this subgenre often produces.

There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.

I didn't expect to see RJ Mitte in a feature film following Breaking Bad, but here we are. He could have been in something worse, but, with a simple script and story, it made me look forward to his next feature film role. Not a bad place to startI also enjoyed seeing Paloma Kwiatkowski again following her role in Bates Motel, and also Ray William Johnson.The story of course (if you've seen the trailer) focuses on Doug, a boy with Muscular Dystrophy, who decides to go on a road trip with a new friend and carer Scott, and Stephenie, a girl he has a crush on. Along the way hurdles and issues arise concerning both Doug and Scott.Mitte definitely gives it his all having to work through his real life condition, and I really recommend him for it. That being said I knew he could pull it off, having gotten through 5 seasons of Breaking Bad. I liked the characters enough, and how they talked with each other throughout. I wish Kwiatkowski had more to do; the film is primarily about Doug and Scott, and admittedly, not a film I'll remember her for. One thing I'll remember are the scenes where Doug's anger and resentment make him imagine saying certain things to people, and it's all in his head, kinda like the throat slash clip in Superbad. I enjoyed the scenes where Doug is finally doing stuff away from his overbearing mother.The script for this movie is like I said, simple. And I'm not gonna lie, really ends like a Transformers movie, just REALLY anti-climactic, it's like a dry fart. And the thing is, I saw it coming. The ending is just THERE, nothing else to it, it's passable.I give it a 6 out of 10

Sometimes there are movies I can't tell whether it was a good or bad film. On the one hand "Who's Driving Doug" is a unique film with an original life situation as starting point. On the other hand, the cliché elements of a coming-of-age road movie are fully utilized. Doug is a wheelchair-bound, muscle disease patient who for once in his lifetime wants to put aside restrictions and fulfill a life wish. And that wish is a trip to Las Vegas. At times it's a poignant life sketch about someone who most of all wishes to be accepted the way he is and not being regarded as someone from another planet. The fact that RJ Mitte (Doug) himself was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at an early age and Michael Carnick (the screenwriter) has a physical disability and goes through life in a wheelchair, ensures the part of Daug is certainly realistic enough.Doug's life takes a strange turn when his personal chauffeur lets him down. He's forced to look for another driver. This turns out to be Scott (Ray William Johnson). He's a carefree nobody, who just was denied by Doug's faculty, and takes life as it comes. Similarly, the opportunity to be the new chauffeur of Doug. After a while it appears that Scott has to leave to Las Vegas because of some family problems and he's able to convince Doug to go with him and fulfill his wish. Doug makes a compromise with his overprotective mother (Daphne Zuniga) so he can go on this adventure. This compromise includes his schoolfriend Stephanie (Paloma Kwiatkowski), he secretly is in love with, who joins them as a kind of chaperon. They start the trip as strangers, start to know each other better during the trip and create a comradely bond. Including a more intimate bond, which in turn creates additional problems."Who's Driving Doug" has some pretty funny moments (like Doug's reaction on some written material of one of his classmates) and some touching moments. Personally I didn't think it fell as if the latter events were used to arouse pity or to show how unjust society can be sometimes in regard to disabled persons. I can imagine they experience situations like that in the roadhouse. And despite the predictable list of "things to do when you take a disabled person to Las Vegas" was carried out in a disciplined way, it still continued to fascinate. Thus Doug experiences for the first time alcohol, drugs, sex and gambling during the trip (a quick comparison with "Rain man" is made). This creates funny and touching impressions.Where did it go wrong? In contrast to the impressive acting performances of Mitte, Ray William Johnson wasn't always convincing and Kwiatkowski was mostly downright irritating. Zuniga played her part exquisitely (I certainly wouldn't describe it as a healthy mental state), but it was a bit exaggerated after a while. The love triangle was for me a bit too artificial and during these moments the interactions were of a pitifully low level. The denouement and revelation was rather abrupt. As abrupt as Scott's ultimate destiny. And although they tried to avoid melodramatic and pathetic elements, nevertheless they couldn't resist to end up with an overly emotional monologue. "Who's Driving Doug" is an emotional film, filled with humor and tragedy. It transcends the average thanks to the excellent acting of Mitte.More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT

I was not expecting to like this film. The summary sounded like any other coming of age story, only a low-budget indie one. Wow, was I surprised. This one was really outside the box, emotionally connected, quite funny, very entertaining and not necessarily all about the coming of age thing (sorry for being vague, don't want to spoil it).The story was probably the best part as stories based in the real life of the writer often are.The acting was quite strong. RJ Mitte nailed the lead role, Paloma Kwiatkowski was mesmerizing to watch, and Ray William Johnson turned in a powerful and emotional performance to round out this thoroughly tasty trio of performances.And, the budget wasn't quite as small as I'd expected. This film looks good, sounds good, and is good. If you're looking for something compelling, heartwarming, and different, this is it.Hello Netflix people: you should pick this one up. It's something special. (And, I say that as someone who does not know anyone affiliated with the making of this film. Your subscribers need more fresh, unique, new content and it would be hard to imagine them not liking this one).

This is really a heart touching drama ... the most sad scene is when Doug and Stephanie loses their best friend Scott in an accident .... this is an excellent drama ... mostly the heart touching .... Love this ... ;) The way it started and the way it ended ... i really enjoyed this drama ... it is really a nice story . When i was watching it , i am literally about to cry , the way it feels like it is real and it is happening right now with you ... and the second sad scene is when Scott loses his best friend whose is admitted in hospital with something happens to his lungs , and Scott was crying ... feels like Kevin is a part of a family ... That is totally totally heart touching drama ... I wish that this will never happens in anyone lives in real .. Because it is really Sad story ... Love This ... Keep it up ;)