Movie Overview
Drive My Car (2021) is a deeply moving Japanese drama directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, based on Haruki Murakami's short story. The film follows Yusuke Kafuku (Hidetoshi Nishijima), a celebrated stage actor and director still grappling with the sudden death of his wife. Two years later, he accepts a residency in Hiroshima to direct a production of Uncle Vanya, where he is assigned a young chauffeur, Misaki Watari (Tôko Miura). Initially distant, the two form a quiet bond as Yusuke confronts the painful mysteries his wife left behind, including a secret relationship with a younger actor. The film weaves together themes of grief, art, and human connection, set against the backdrop of a multilingual theater production. Hamaguchi’s patient, nuanced direction earned the film an Oscar for Best International Feature, along with 94 other wins and 108 nominations. With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes score and a 91/100 Metacritic rating, Drive My Car is hailed as a masterwork of modern cinema. The cast also includes Reika Kirishima as Yusuke’s late wife, delivering haunting performances throughout its 179-minute runtime. Available to watch online on Netflix, Drive My Car offers a profound exploration of love and loss that lingers long after the credits roll. Stream this award-winning drama today.
