Daddio’s single location and dialogue-heavy movie sounds like it could become boring quickly. This description may cause someone to dismiss viewing this film. It is first-time writer-director Christy Hall’s script that is good but is made great with the casting of Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson as the two characters who have the long taxicab ride from the airport.
A young woman, Girlie (Johnson) is at the at JFK airport. She is greeted by an unnamed taxi line attendant (Marcos A. Gonzalez, “Calls from the Inside” TV series, The Wolf of Wall Street). Her assigned cab driver, Clark (Penn), is pleasant and talkative with her once he notices she is not glued to her cell phone, something he considers admirable. Things she says or does first appear as if this is not what she is looking for during her ride. Clark has disarming ways to engage her in the topics he brings up, thus reeling her in. Thanks to these two actors’ outstanding performances, they elevate the director’s script and setting to be one that is most admirable.
Clark is older than Girlie, thus has quite of life experience and ability to “read people” as he declares to Girlie. He knows she is intelligent and can “handle” herself, so he starts to change the conversation from small talk to deeper questions about life, love and more when she responds in a certain manner. At one point, the dialogue may begin to sound a bit creepy with the topics Clark brings up, but Girlie’s responses pique his interest and does not take a certain path. Also, there are pauses from the dialogue when she does end up engaging in a cell phone text conversation.
The character sending her messages is never seen on screen, nor does she want to provide a name and of course, this sends up a flag to Clark that she is in a relationship with a married man. Girlie is very sharp, keeps up her defenses, but then when heavy traffic or construction makes the highway a parking lot, Girlie is not just seeing the back of his head as a driver. He faces her and shares his background. He also shares his opinion of what and how differently men and women behave.
The cinematographer, Phedon Papamichael, provides some excellent close-up shots of each actor as they contemplate the conversation, their reactions captured on their face. There is so much to be said for an actor who can convey so much with a look, a stare, etc. Both talented actors can do so expertly. With certain gestures and glances from Dakota Johnson, the audience knows when she is relaxing and loosening up, making her more receptive to Clark’s prolonged conversation.
I love to hear the music in films and make notes of what is memorable. In this film, composer Dickon Hinchliffe’s score is subdued, enjoyable and blending in very well.
Crew: Editor: Lisa Zeno Churgin. Dakota Johnson serves as a producer. The film was screened at the Telluride and Toronto Film Festivals (2023), as well as the Tribeca Film Festival this month. MPA Rating: R. Running time: 101 minutes. Daddio releases in theaters on Friday, June 28.
Source: Sony Pictures Classics
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