Leave it to director Bobby Farrelly to craft a fun road trip comedy directly imported from the 80s. For a genre that’s been on a bit of a decline for years, mid-budget movies like this have become something of a lost art. Driver’s Ed definitely speaks to a generation that grew up on movies like The Breakfast Club. Led by White Lotus breakout Sam Nivola, this charming comedy is light and fluffy entertainment perfect for summer.
High school senior Jeremy (Nivola) attempts to navigate a messy long-distance relationship with his girlfriend Sam (Lilah Pate), a college freshman. There’s no age divide—both are eighteen, as Jeremy is quick to point out early on—but as anyone who has ever attempted it will tell you, long distance is not for the faint of heart. Jeremy cannot seem to focus on schoolwork or really anything else that doesn’t involve Sam. Jeremy’s world begins to unravel when communications stall out, sometime after he’s caught attempting to sext Sam about his “Le boner” in French class.
After landing in detention and enrolling in driver’s education led by an eccentric substitute instructor, Jeremy impulsively decides to take matters into his own hands. He steals the driver’s ed car, three seniors in tow, and sets off on a chaotic road trip. Determined to win Sam back before it’s too late, Jeremy must utilize every tool in his belt to make it to her in Chapel Hill. What follows is a whirlwind misadventure filled with wrong turns, unexpected detours, robbers, and a hot pursuit from the school’s security officer. It’s charming, silly, predictable comfort food that scratches that coming-of-age itch. There’s even a couple genuine driving lessons to learn along the way!
Movies like these are built off the backs of their exciting ensemble talent. Nivola’s Jeremy is the sweet teddy bear type, making him a perfect audience archetype to follow through the unraveling story. His friends are little more than caricatures, but for this type of material, they couldn’t be more perfect. Yoshi (Aidan Laprete) is the trademark stoner, featuring a backstory that holds a surprising amount of emotional weight; Evie (Sophie Telegadis) proves to be a devoted and honest best friend that will do anything for Jeremy; and Aparna (Mohana Krishnan) acts as the nervous overachiever whose interior suggests untold depth. The supporting cast peppered in are honestly responsible for the most memorable moments. That includes the always-hilarious Molly Shannon as Principal Lucy Fisher, Kumail Nanjiani as instructor Rivers, and Alyssa Milano in a small role as Jeremy’s mother.
Overall, there’s a lot to love here, particularly for those yearning for the nostalgia of a bygone era. The predictable story is cute enough, bolstered by a game ensemble cast and particularly by Nivola’s natural charisma. The wheel isn’t reinvented, but screenwriter Thomas Moffett was not aiming for that regardless. Instead, this cute road trip flick has enough heart and personality to make the breezy ride worthwhile.
Strap in your seatbelts for a wild session of Driver’s Ed, zooming into select theaters and on demand on Friday, May 15th.
