Driveways (2019)

I was able to watch this movie because of a program my local movie theaters are doing; they banded together in order to distribute new releases for which you can buy virtual movie tickets. I got an online movie ticket and supported my local theater all without leaving my home. Even though it wasn’t the thrill of going to the movies, it was the next best thing. If your city does something similar, it might be worth checking out! Driveways is about an Asian American family who moves into a dead relative’s home in order to clean it out. The family is made up of a mom, Kathy (the estranged sister of April, the late relative), and her son, Cody. Though it goes back and forth between both characters’ points of view, this seems to primarily be Cody’s story. We understand the predicament they find themselves in mostly through his eyes. It’s also a story of acceptance, friendship, and the struggle of being an outsider. Driveways is a nuanced portrait of an Asian American family, something you don’t always see at the movies. They befriend their loving Korean War veteran neighbor, Del, who is significantly older than them. He’s played by the late Brian Dennehy. This was one of Dennehy’s last movies and he delivers (along with Hong Chau and Lucas Jaye) a memorable performance in this compelling and moving film. Themes of loss, decay, and regret are treated with respect and aplomb. Director Andrew Ahn gently guides the audience towards understanding the implications of losing a family member—in this case, a family member who left behind not only a fraught sibling relationship but also a hoarder-level amount of belongings to sort through. In some ways, cleaning the house is Kathy's way of repairing the broken relationship with her sister. By taking on the task, sifting through all of April’s possessions, and staying in her home, she learns more about her sister than ever before. They didn’t know each other much as adults, but by bonding through her sister’s earthly possessions Kathy became friends with April from beyond the grave. The subtle message of understanding an eccentric family member and accepting them for who they are comes through. Not much happens in