“Drive-Away Dolls,” directed by Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke, is a captivating road trip comedy that follows the story of two lesbian friends who embark on a journey to Tallahassee. However, as hilarious as the journey is, the movie is underscored by a profound mystery linked to a briefcase and hatbox discovered in their car’s trunk. The audience is left in the dark about the contents of these boxes, but it’s notable that a criminal element is hot on their trails to regain them. With the filmmakers refraining from divulging information about the boxes’ content, the audience is left to wonder if it’s money, drugs, or something far-fetched.
“Drive-Away Dolls” is a gripping film that promises a big surprise twist. It has more depth than what meets the eye, drawing inspiration from a strange yet true story. To shed light on this intriguing narrative, let’s delve into one of the film’s major questions.
Revealing the Mystery of the Briefcase and Hatbox in “Drive-Away Dolls”
It’s in the movie’s halfway point when Jamie and Marian, the two friends, stumble upon the unexpected cargo stashed in the trunk of their car. The contents of the hatbox emerge – a shocking find that’s accompanied by a wave of dread. They discover the head of a character called the Collector, whose murder is depicted in the opening scene of the film.
The contents of the briefcase are revealed a bit later. The audience initially assumes it to be money as the protagonists resort to a posh hotel instead of a regular roadside motel. The reality, however, turns out to be quite uncanny. The briefcase is filled with plaster penises modeled after the genitals of various celebrities. The mystery deepens as the viewer learns this peculiar collection belongs to an artist named Tiffney Plaster Caster, who molds penis statues from celebrity models, making them valuable for collectors.
The Real Story Behind Tiffney Plaster Caster
While “Drive-Away Dolls” is a work of fiction, the character of Tiffney Plaster Caster has a real-life inspiration. The character draws its roots from Cynthia Plaster Caster, a famous artist known for her unique plaster molds of male musician genitalia. Back in the late 1960s, she began this peculiar form of art and soon gained significant attention due to Jimi Hendrix, who was among her first subjects. It’s an unintentionally fitting tribute to Cynthia, who passed away in April 2022 just before the movie began production.
Filmmaker’s Insight into the Mystery of Drive-Away Dolls
In a recent Q&A session, filmmakers Ethan Coen and Tricia Cooke revealed their thought process behind the unique twist. During the scriptwriting process, they realized the need for the mystery box to contain something eccentric to live up to the hype created around it in the storyline. Thus, the “case of the plaster penises” was born, providing an unexpected yet humorously satisfying twist to the narrative.
Coen said, “You need there to be something really, really good in the case. So one of us, both of us went, ‘Ok, case full of dicks!'”
They were already aware of the legend of Cynthia Plaster Caster when writing “Drive-Away Dolls.” Hence, the integration of such a storyline into the movie came along quite naturally.
Wrapping Up
Despite some drawbacks, as suggested by the CinemaBlend review, the big unveil in “Drive-Away Dolls” is a masterstroke, legitimately paying off the narrative setup. Featured performances by renowned actors like Margaret Qualley, Geraldine Viswanathan, Beanie Feldstein, Colman Domingo, Bill Camp, and Matt Damon add more substance to the film’s gripping narrative.
“Drive-Away Dolls” is a must-watch for anyone seeking a light-hearted comedy with an underlying mystery. Now playing in theaters everywhere, it promises a captivating cinematic experience you wouldn’t want to miss. To know more about the exciting movies set to release later this year, check out the 2024 Movie Release Calendar on HitPlay.
