Drunk Bus

Drunk Bus is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke and starring Charlie Tahan and Kara Hayward. It is Carlucci and LaGanke's directorial debut.[2][3] The film was released on May 20, 2021, and received positive reviews from critics.

Drunk Bus
Promotional poster
Directed by
  • John Carlucci
  • Brandon LaGanke
Written byChris Molinaro
Produced by
Starring
CinematographyLuke McCoubrey
Edited byTaylor Levy
Music by
Production
companies
  • Ghost+Cow Films
  • Hollenbeck Film and Experience
Distributed byFilmRise
Release dates
  • October 15, 2020 (2020-10-15) (SDIFF)[1]
  • May 21, 2021 (2021-05-21) (United States)
Running time
101 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Plot

Michael is a young college graduate who is stuck working as a bus driver for a party school in Ohio after failing to achieve his dream of becoming a writer. He spends his nights driving the "drunk bus," which shuttles intoxicated students from parties back to their dorms.

One night, while driving the bus, Michael encounters Pineapple, a security guard who starts to offer Michael some advice on how to navigate his life. As they spend more time together, Michael and Pineapple form an unlikely friendship, and Michael begins to see his life in a new light.

At the same time, Michael is also dealing with the aftermath of a painful breakup and struggling to find his place in the world. As he grapples with these challenges, he must decide whether to continue his dead-end job or take a chance on his writing dreams and leave the "drunk bus" behind.

Cast
  • Charlie Tahan as Michael, a 20-something driver of a drunk bus
  • Kara Hayward as Kat, Michael's friend
  • Pineapple Tangaroa as Pineapple, a bodyguard hired for Michael's bus after an altercation.
  • Zach Cherry as Josh, Michael's lazy roommate
  • Sarah Mezzanotte as Amy, Michael's ex-girlfriend
  • Dave Hill as Devo Ted, a drug dealer
  • Tonatiuh Elizarraraz as Justin
  • Martin Pfefferkorn as FU Bob, an elderly passenger Michael helps.
  • Frank Iero as Hank Hero
  • Joe Napier as Justin's boyfriend
  • Dresden Engle as Bus Driver
  • Will Forte as Fred, Michael's boss at the depot (uncredited)[4]

Production

Carlucci and LaGanke originally wanted to shoot the film in Kent, Ohio, where they are from, but were convinced by producer Eric Hollenbeck, a native of Elmira, New York, that Rochester, New York would be a cheaper option with a similar aesthetic.[5] Principal photography began on March 1, 2019 in Rochester,[6][7][8] and wrapped on March 18.[9]

Release

The film was to have made its worldwide premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020.[10][11][12][13] However, the SXSW Festival was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, thus postponing the premiere of Drunk Bus.[14][15][16] On October 15, 2020, the film premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival.[1]

In January 2021, FilmRise acquired North American distribution rights to the film.[17][18]

Reception

On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. The website's critics consensus reads, "Fueled by a blend of rowdy comedy and poignant drama, Drunk Bus takes audiences on an uncommonly rewarding coming-of-age journey."[19] According to Metacritic, which assigned a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 11 critics, the film received "generally favorable reviews".[20]

Sandy Schaefer of Screen Rant awarded the film three stars out of five, saying: "Thanks to its charming cast and even-handed blend of laughs and drama, Drunk Bus generally succeeds in putting a fresh spin on its familiar story."[21]

Accolades

Drunk Bus won the Best Narrative Feature Award from both the Jury and the Audience at the 2020 San Diego International Film Festival.[22]

References
  1. "The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival". San Diego Magazine. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
  2. Goldrich, Robert (21 February 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke, John Carlucci Drive "Drunk Bus" To SXSW Fest". Shoot (advertising magazine). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  3. Wojnar, Zak (25 March 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke And John Carlucci Interview: Drunk Bus". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
  4. "'Drunk Bus' takes viewers on an epically funny ride". 21 May 2021.
  5. "Movie filmed in Rochester and starring Charlie Tahan, Will Forte to be screened at Little".
  6. Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". CW Rochester. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
  7. Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". WHAM-TV. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  8. Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". WUHF. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
  9. Carlson, Cody (18 March 2019). "Filming For Upcoming Movie Wraps up in Montour Falls". WENY-TV. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
  10. Lanier, Hunter (22 March 2020). "Drunk Bus". Film Threat. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
  11. "FRANK IERO WILL APPEAR IN A NEW MOVIE PREMIERING AT SXSW". Kerrang!. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  12. Quiles, Alyssa (15 January 2020). "FRANK IERO TO APPEAR IN COMEDY-DRAMA 'DRUNK BUS' PREMIERING AT SXSW". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
  13. Trapp, Philip (16 January 2020). "My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero to Appear in New Movie at South by Southwest". Loudwire. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  14. ""Drunk Bus" Star Charlie Tahan On His Comedy Alongside Directors John Carlucci & Brandon LaGanke". Yahoo!. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
  15. "Coronavirus Hits Indie Films". Cheddar (TV channel). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  16. Eakin, Marah (16 April 2020). "Dave Hill and the Drunk Bus directors on booze, poop, and Devo". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
  17. Prange, Stephanie (18 January 2021). "FilmRise Acquires Feature 'Drunk Bus'". Media Play News. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
  18. Wiseman, Andreas (15 January 2021). "'Drunk Bus' North America Deal; Pact For 'Bisping' UFC Doc; Liquid Media Group CEO — North America Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
  19. "Drunk Bus (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  20. "Drunk Bus Reviews". Metacritic. Fandom, Inc. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
  21. Schaefer, Sandy (17 March 2020). "Drunk Bus Review: Charming Cast Leads Adventureland-Style Comedy". Screen Rant. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
  22. "2020 Filmmaker Awards | San Diego International Film Festival". 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2020-10-23.


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