Brian Dennehy, who passed away on April 15, began his commanding presence and prolific acting career at the age of 39. Over four decades he accumulated 139 credits in film and television. In his later years, the actor won Tony Awards for his performances in classic dramas Long Day’s Journey into Night and Death of Salesman. In one of his final films, Driveways, he plays Del, a retired octogenarian Korean war veteran. In this role, he is a man of few words: gone is the bluster of Sheriff Will Teasle in First Blood and the furtive angst of Salesman’s Willy Loman. By turning Del’s conflicts and regrets inward, Dennehy fashions a subtle and heartbreaking performance that is among his best.
Directed by Andrew Ahn, Driveways is about a young single mother, Kathy, played by Hong Chau (Downsizing), who arrives with her eight-year-old son to clean out her late sister’s house, which is next door to Del’s. As her son, Cody, Lucas Jaye turns in a wonderfully natural performance. The boy is bright but shy; he prefers the companionship of manga and video games to the roughhousing of neighborhood kids. All three feel as if they are outsiders in a small suburban community. Kathy, a single Asian mom, knew little about her sister; she is surprised to discover she was a hoarder. Kathy is strict with her son but, without a father around and with a house to clear out and sell, her hands are full. Del, on the other side of their driveway, often sits quietly on his front porch, lost in his own thoughts, impassively observing his neighbor’s difficulties. His only regular companions are a few old friends (including the venerable 90-year-old actor Jerry Adler), who gather at the local vets Bingo Hall. Continue Reading
Directed by Andrew Ahn, Driveways is about a young single mother, Kathy, played by Hong Chau (Downsizing), who arrives with her eight-year-old son to clean out her late sister’s house, which is next door to Del’s. As her son, Cody, Lucas Jaye turns in a wonderfully natural performance. The boy is bright but shy; he prefers the companionship of manga and video games to the roughhousing of neighborhood kids. All three feel as if they are outsiders in a small suburban community. Kathy, a single Asian mom, knew little about her sister; she is surprised to discover she was a hoarder. Kathy is strict with her son but, without a father around and with a house to clear out and sell, her hands are full. Del, on the other side of their driveway, often sits quietly on his front porch, lost in his own thoughts, impassively observing his neighbor’s difficulties. His only regular companions are a few old friends (including the venerable 90-year-old actor Jerry Adler), who gather at the local vets Bingo Hall. Continue Reading
