DRUNK BUS: Takes You Where You Want To Go

Drunk Bus is “based on real shit”, or so the opening card would want you to know right off the bat. With all the earmarks of an early-aughts indie, the filmmaking looks and talks like a movie from the year it was set, 2006. Written by Chris Molinaro and directed by John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke, Drunk Bus tells the story of recent college grad Michael, played to downtrodden perfection by Charlie Tahan.

Dumped nine months earlier by his high school sweetheart Amy, Michael spends his depressingly cold nights driving inebriated college kids to and from the local bars of his alma mater in Ohio. After getting beat up by a rowdy passenger, Michael is teamed up with a bodyguard in the form of a tatted punk rock Samoan named Pineapple. Seeing how desperately the wishy-washy Michael is in need of a life change, Pineapple takes it upon himself to stop his new pal from driving in circles and get his life back on track.

Find What Drives You

At its core, Drunk Bus is about the pains of becoming an adult when you’ve grown accustomed to a routine. Lost love works as the initial problem for Michael at first, though a deeper dive into his depression eludes to Amy’s leaving as an excuse to never move forward with his own life. This becomes more exacerbated when she texts Michael out of the blue leading him down a path of self-doubt.

Enter Pineapple. Played endearingly by Pineapple Tangaroa, all of the characters introduced, I found him the most complex given his outlook on the world. Seemingly, Pineapple comes across as an intimidatingly grandiose figure who is content with marching to the beat of his own drum. Confident, capable, though eccentric in both appearance and personality, his backstory unravels close to the third act climax showing a more enlightened view of his character. What makes Pineapple so interesting is the way he tells the audience everything about his life while never giving away who he truly is.

Pineapple reads Michael right off as a self-doubting mess and goes to outlandish lengths to loosen him up by forcing Michael to confront his demons in order to move ahead with what makes him happy. Being the pushover that he is, Michael goes along with Pineapple’s schemes and advice trepidatiously, in the beginning, eventually building up a thicker skin as their friendship develops. What follows is a look at how we all need a little push but remembering to stay true to ourselves even if we stumble along the way.

The People On The Bus Go…

Like so many indie flicks, Drunk Bus stokes much of its charm from the real-world feel the movie portrays in both character building and locale. The cast feels wacky but believable in how lived in each actor addresses their specific roles. Michael seems like someone you’d find living their worst life in the bleak winters of Ohio, while Pineapple exudes a loveable magnetism leaving the viewer unsure of what is going on deep down. The normalcy portrayed by so many of the players keeps the comedy grounded and relatable while leaving a nice bit of quirk in their wake.

Another refreshing element comes with the tone, need it be dramatic or comical. When Michael, for example, is left to his own devices to obsess over love lost, he is never played as an annoyance. The character keeps his feelings contained, only to be unveiled when other’s bring his pain to light. His counterpart in Pineapple juxtaposes Michael with an outgoing assuredness with everything he says and does. Pineapple plays as both the angel and devil on Michael’s shoulder, though never goes full heel turn toward dislikable. There is a wonderful balance in the characterizations and writing where one needs the other to work properly.

The rest of the cast helps to keep the story moving by their interactions with Michael. Much of the film takes place on the bus where Michael should be the authority. His lack of confidence makes him a pushover, lessening him in the eyes of his booze-fueled passengers who see him as weak. The bus works like a fishbowl, allowing the various characters, including Michael’s friends Justin and Kat played by Tonatiuh and Kara Hayward, to come together under a microscope for the viewer. Whether it’s the ‘dude-bro’ frat types, party girls, or quiet loners, the societal cliques are on display in regards to Michael and Pineapple, shining a light on how each gets treated by the world.

One of the more intriguing passengers is FU Bob. Before you ask, yes, the FU stands for exactly what you think it does. Bob is an old townie who Michael picks up on the bus every night while riding down the freezing road in his motorized wheelchair. Bob only responds with a grumbly “Fuck You” and a flip of the bird before he doodles quietly in a sketchbook. Treated as an afterthought, his character arc works as a cathartic punch in the face that stands as one of the more impactful moments of the film.

Added bonus, keep an ear out for Will Forte. You won’t be disappointed.

Conclusion: The Road Less Traveled

In the end, Drunk Bus is a fun, low-key comedy that has a story to tell and does it beautifully. From script to casting, the film checks off all of the boxes for an entertaining sit-down that will resonate with a multi-generational crowd. The way the filmmakers’ balance drama and comedy are tactful and lighthearted even when the subject matter wades into a more morose territory. The film doesn’t wallow in it but rather pushes through the pain to a satisfying conclusion.

Unconventional, funny, and poignant from start to finish, Drunk Bus feels like a labor of love by those who created it. A solid recommendation.

Is there an indie film that might have passed us by? The Film Inquiry Community would love to hear about it. Leave a comment and keep the conversation going.

Drunk Bus is available May 21st in virtual theaters and Video On Demand

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