We saw this movie at it's premiere in Venice. Although a great story and depiction of the final demise of John Delorean, the film only barely touched on Delorean's meteoric rise through GM and barely touched on those accomplishments. Jason Sudeikis steals every scene he is in as Jim Hoffman, but Lee Pace's portrayal of John Delorean is spot-on of the methodical genius. Presented as a "based on true events" biopic, I feel a lot of dramatic licenses were taken in bringing the final story to film.
61 Reviews
Flawed Man Gets Flawed Movie...Still Worth A Watch Though
AudioFileZ18 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
If you're looking for a serious biopic I imagine you'll need to keep on looking. This movie makes the serious matter of destroying a jet setter and iconic car designer into light comedy. It does entertain, but it feels like someone read a book about John DeLorean and not much else. In spite of a notable performance by Lee Pace as John DeLorean you only get a one-dimensional rendering of this complex man. It does succeed in making DeLorean a tragic likable figure spite of the suspicion he was a narcissist consumed with equal measures of hubris and delusions of grandeur. With the right combination of desperation and ridiculous entrapment the unthinkable happened. DeLorean, even as a non-guilty verdict was delivered, was essentially destroyed. Knowing there was such a tragic downfall makes the comedy often seem clumsy. Actually more of this movie is devoted to the FBI informant who baited DeLorean named Jim Hoffman as played by Jason Sudeikis. It's hard to believe as Sudeikis, who plays his usual comedy schtick, depicts this character realistically. This forces the viewer to see a sordid tale as something hardly as gripping as anything of this gravity should be. You must accept this is a comedic rendition of a utterly ridiculous government sting. One which only ending up tearing apart a flawed man, a company, a dream, and a family. It glosses completely over the human tragedy and huge financial loses. I guess the movie actually could be said to mirror the DeLorean car in that it had so much potential only to fail on many levels.
Not a Great Movie But Engaging Enough For a Watch
larrys32 October 2019
If nothing else, the colorful clothes, cars, music, and hairstyles of the '70's and '80's are a hoot here. The film can get muddled and disjointed with its flashbacks, but I felt there was enough here to keep me engaged and it does end strongly. Inspired by true events, I remember seeing the FBI tapes involving John DeLorean on the national news as this story did have a national impact.
All in all, not a great movie as I see it, but engaging enough for a watch.
All in all, not a great movie as I see it, but engaging enough for a watch.
Not a biopic, but fascinating
garymathe-7617329 August 2019
Pace is fantastic as DeLorean and Sudeikis proves (again) that he can do much more than goofy comedies. Many here expected this film to focus on the famous engineer, but this is not a biopic. This is about the unlikely but fascinating events that led to the end of his career. We still get a good look at his personality, even if the focus is slightly more on Jim Hoffman whose story is also fascinating. Well worth a watch.
Why the Sudeikis hate
corvette-459212 July 2020
I'm usually the first to jump on SNL cast members making movies because they drag half of the cast with them, then you get the long skit version effect - but this is not that movie. Sudeikis is great as the annoying weirdo and has good chemistry with all the players around him. The story is good as an over view of Deloreans struggle so just enjoy the ride and don't look to deep into it.
Could have been much better...
Top_Dawg_Critic17 August 2019
...if it wasn't for the terrible writing. The screenplay had many plot and technical issues. The pacing was terrible that the 108 min run-time felt much longer. Too many long dragged out/unnecessary scenes that should've been edited down/out to fix the plot issues - e.g. why the briefcase (without giving away any spoilers) - an important omission of that detail, no? The editing wasn't any better. The sound/score was off and out of place in some scenes. Directing/camera work and cinematography was decent, but the production overall still felt like a low budget B-grade film from inexperienced filmmakers. On the plus side, casting was great and all actors where convincing, especially Lee Pace and Jason Sudeikis. Overall it was still an enjoyable biopic on John DeLorean. It's a generous 7/10 from me
A chapter in the life of John Delorean.
TxMike19 October 2019
Warning: Spoilers
I watched this at home on DVD from my public library, my wife skipped. The events depicted here are in the 1970s and early 1980s. The arc of the story is pretty factual, but a lot of situations and dialog had to be invented so this movie is primarily for entertainment. I found it mostly entertaining but gosh they use way too much F-word language in the script. I found that distracting.
I found that Lee Pace, in suitable white hair, makes a very authentic John DeLorean in his 50s. The story actually centers on the real arrest of Delorean in 1982 and charged by the US government with trafficking cocaine following a videotaped sting operation. The car manufacturing operation in Ireland was struggling financially and needed help.
I also find Jason Sudeikis to be an excellent choice to play Jim Hoffman, the long time criminal and now informant who was DeLorean's neighbor and who was the focus of the sting operation.
While the story focuses on the eventual trial there is a lot leading up to it, all told in a series of flashbacks. It is interesting that the movie "Back to the Future" brought fame to the DeLorean cars, if it hadn't been for that few would have remembered them.
It is also interesting that in recent years a company based in the Houston area has the rights to the name and are called The Delorean Motor Company, selling used 1980s vintage Deloreans and parts. They also have a goal to begin production of new Deloreans but seem to continue to have problems getting that off the ground.
I found that Lee Pace, in suitable white hair, makes a very authentic John DeLorean in his 50s. The story actually centers on the real arrest of Delorean in 1982 and charged by the US government with trafficking cocaine following a videotaped sting operation. The car manufacturing operation in Ireland was struggling financially and needed help.
I also find Jason Sudeikis to be an excellent choice to play Jim Hoffman, the long time criminal and now informant who was DeLorean's neighbor and who was the focus of the sting operation.
While the story focuses on the eventual trial there is a lot leading up to it, all told in a series of flashbacks. It is interesting that the movie "Back to the Future" brought fame to the DeLorean cars, if it hadn't been for that few would have remembered them.
It is also interesting that in recent years a company based in the Houston area has the rights to the name and are called The Delorean Motor Company, selling used 1980s vintage Deloreans and parts. They also have a goal to begin production of new Deloreans but seem to continue to have problems getting that off the ground.
pretty good and worth the watch
natcalgary24 August 2019
I feel like those who didn't like this movie were not fans of jason Sudakis in the first place and pre-judged despite the fact he did a great job.
Others didn't understand certain parts(ie. the suitcase) because they got bored or missed certain parts of the movie.
All in all great acting all around, the story kept me interested, and the ending satisfied me
7.1
All in all great acting all around, the story kept me interested, and the ending satisfied me
7.1
Seven for lee pace
thelidoshuffle19 May 2022
Nothing here but Lee Pace and a shiny car. Once again, Sudeikis overwhelms the film like Race which was a fantastic depiction of carl long and Jesse. He annoyed me then. He annoys me now.
Take Sudeikis out of it and I'll come back and watch it again.
7 for Lee -a great actor. He makes a great DeLorean.
Take Sudeikis out of it and I'll come back and watch it again.
7 for Lee -a great actor. He makes a great DeLorean.
Elon Musk of the 70s.
rahmanism26 August 2019
It's a good movie about what happened to John DeLorean during design and producing of his famous car, the car that we saw on Back to the future.
Decoration, acting and flow of events are good enough but not as exciting as the subject itself.
Shabby Telling of History
info-605147 February 2021
There are plenty of documentaries detailing the events leading to Delorean's arrest. The best of these was made in the 80's entitled Scandal Life in the Fast Lane.
This film entirety ignores the duplicity, ego and sheer delusional mentality of an unpleasant narcissistic con man.
Whenever I watch Delorean in interviews it feels a little like a Jimmy Saville moment in that he wore his disguise inside out, so to see him portrayed firstly with a kind of gravitas he never displayed but also as some heroic figure caring about the lives of the workers in Northern Ireland was laughable.
The fact Delorean was embezzling the company along with consultant Colin Chapman is entirely missing from this "biopic" and the prior activities which included dodgy side deals during his time at General Motors and extorting money from the designer of a revolutionary coolant system for cars showed he was far too lazy to be considered a true innovator or visionary in motor vehicle design. The truth was he preferred conning money out of people rather than creating solid achievements and this was the tragedy for the Two Thousand people employed in the Northern Ireland factory who pinned so much hope and worked tirelessly for a man who really wasn't remotely interested in them or anyone else.
As to the film itself. From a narrative point of you it's reasonably well written. Although Delorean's personality doesn't come close to the man I've viewed in innumerable interviews and news footage. Therefore although the performances are not bad the central character is entirely unconvincing.
I suppose in a desperate attempt not to parody a man who appeared to be a walking parody this was an attempt to make him more believable. Sadly it relies on people who've never actually seen Delorean speaking in real life to make the film watchable. One thing I didn't understand is how Delorean rarely smiles in this film, when in real life he never missed an opportunity to show off his cosmetically blindingly white molars. Whether this down to the director or actor's choice or maybe no suitable tooth bleaching technicians being available is any body's guess.
Overall this was disappointing. Delorean's story of a false economic saviour appealing to people who really wanted to believe in his smarmy patter, in particular the UK government, is well worth telling and this didn't even attempt that.
This film entirety ignores the duplicity, ego and sheer delusional mentality of an unpleasant narcissistic con man.
Whenever I watch Delorean in interviews it feels a little like a Jimmy Saville moment in that he wore his disguise inside out, so to see him portrayed firstly with a kind of gravitas he never displayed but also as some heroic figure caring about the lives of the workers in Northern Ireland was laughable.
The fact Delorean was embezzling the company along with consultant Colin Chapman is entirely missing from this "biopic" and the prior activities which included dodgy side deals during his time at General Motors and extorting money from the designer of a revolutionary coolant system for cars showed he was far too lazy to be considered a true innovator or visionary in motor vehicle design. The truth was he preferred conning money out of people rather than creating solid achievements and this was the tragedy for the Two Thousand people employed in the Northern Ireland factory who pinned so much hope and worked tirelessly for a man who really wasn't remotely interested in them or anyone else.
As to the film itself. From a narrative point of you it's reasonably well written. Although Delorean's personality doesn't come close to the man I've viewed in innumerable interviews and news footage. Therefore although the performances are not bad the central character is entirely unconvincing.
I suppose in a desperate attempt not to parody a man who appeared to be a walking parody this was an attempt to make him more believable. Sadly it relies on people who've never actually seen Delorean speaking in real life to make the film watchable. One thing I didn't understand is how Delorean rarely smiles in this film, when in real life he never missed an opportunity to show off his cosmetically blindingly white molars. Whether this down to the director or actor's choice or maybe no suitable tooth bleaching technicians being available is any body's guess.
Overall this was disappointing. Delorean's story of a false economic saviour appealing to people who really wanted to believe in his smarmy patter, in particular the UK government, is well worth telling and this didn't even attempt that.
Filled with some great actor performances in the reasonably compelling story...
robertmaybeth29 October 2020
...of former business Titan John Delorean's dream gone wrong.
Based on the true story of John Delorean's struggle to create a brand new automotive sportscar line in the late 1970's, the same car made famous in "Back to the future". The Delorean was a mid-engined, all stainless steel bodied sports car, designed from scratch by Delorean's designing team to be an alternative to the GM and foreign sports cars. Buyers were underwhelmed by the anemic performance of the dodgy Renault-Peugeot-Volvo V6 engine, and despite the innovative gull-wing doors, the car turned out to be under-performing and trouble prone (if only because too few units - 9,000 - were ever produced in Delorean's Northern Ireland plant so the bugs could be worked out of the design). By 1982 lackluster sales of the car meant the company was facing bankruptcy. Desperately trying to keep his dream alive, and how he tried to do it via selling cocaine is the topic of this movie.
The film moves along briskly, with every scene foreshadowed by the opening shots of FBI informant Hoffman (Jason Sudeikis) being grilled in a courtroom by Delorean's defense attorney. Hoffman is in a bad place himself, having been caught flying in millions of dollars worth of cocaine, and so his FBI handlers need him to bring in a really big fish to prosecute - and through a series of strange events Delorean himself falls into their net. The resulting story is told in a way I found very engaging, with some really good performances being turned in by Judy Greer (as Hoffman's wife) and a show-stopping performance by Lee Pace as John Delorean. For me, watching Pace as Delorean was the most interesting part of the movie, since his acting is so good you definitely get the impression that this must have been the way Delorean was in real life. And even though I already knew the story, I found myself sympathizing with Delorean and glad the story turns out the way it did.
I thought this was a movie that did a whole lot with very little, and although the movie could and should have been a bit better, I think this movie's worth a watch.
Based on the true story of John Delorean's struggle to create a brand new automotive sportscar line in the late 1970's, the same car made famous in "Back to the future". The Delorean was a mid-engined, all stainless steel bodied sports car, designed from scratch by Delorean's designing team to be an alternative to the GM and foreign sports cars. Buyers were underwhelmed by the anemic performance of the dodgy Renault-Peugeot-Volvo V6 engine, and despite the innovative gull-wing doors, the car turned out to be under-performing and trouble prone (if only because too few units - 9,000 - were ever produced in Delorean's Northern Ireland plant so the bugs could be worked out of the design). By 1982 lackluster sales of the car meant the company was facing bankruptcy. Desperately trying to keep his dream alive, and how he tried to do it via selling cocaine is the topic of this movie.
The film moves along briskly, with every scene foreshadowed by the opening shots of FBI informant Hoffman (Jason Sudeikis) being grilled in a courtroom by Delorean's defense attorney. Hoffman is in a bad place himself, having been caught flying in millions of dollars worth of cocaine, and so his FBI handlers need him to bring in a really big fish to prosecute - and through a series of strange events Delorean himself falls into their net. The resulting story is told in a way I found very engaging, with some really good performances being turned in by Judy Greer (as Hoffman's wife) and a show-stopping performance by Lee Pace as John Delorean. For me, watching Pace as Delorean was the most interesting part of the movie, since his acting is so good you definitely get the impression that this must have been the way Delorean was in real life. And even though I already knew the story, I found myself sympathizing with Delorean and glad the story turns out the way it did.
I thought this was a movie that did a whole lot with very little, and although the movie could and should have been a bit better, I think this movie's worth a watch.
Incredible story, execution a bit off
schmoab21 August 2019
Warning: Spoilers
This movie feels strange as the tone and pacing always feel a bit off. The story is about an FBI informant who befriends John DeLorean to get off a drug smuggling rap. The story of John's development of the DMC is only glossed over. He spends most of his time hosting parties where people in evening gowns dance on stairwells apparently. Lee Pace does a good job showing DeLorean's descent to desperation as his company falls apart. Jason Sudeikis plays himself playing the scummy neighbor at the center of the story. Judy Greer is great as his wife.
The movie is interspersed with flash forwards to a trial where much of the plot is explained. The story is fantastic and really comes together well at the end. You just have to wade through some overly long scenes to get there.
I understand they may not have had much budget, but I don't understand why a movie set in California was filmed in Puerto Rico. The tropical background was really distracting. I was half expecting Al Pacino to jump out of a palm tree with his little friend. Also the car doesn't show until the final minute. I'd still rate it as a "stream it" since it will be out of theaters by the end of the week.
The movie is interspersed with flash forwards to a trial where much of the plot is explained. The story is fantastic and really comes together well at the end. You just have to wade through some overly long scenes to get there.
I understand they may not have had much budget, but I don't understand why a movie set in California was filmed in Puerto Rico. The tropical background was really distracting. I was half expecting Al Pacino to jump out of a palm tree with his little friend. Also the car doesn't show until the final minute. I'd still rate it as a "stream it" since it will be out of theaters by the end of the week.
Same like the car
rehmankhilji25 August 2019
Yes the movie is like the DMC, it starts on a high note, losses track in between and the end it simply torturing.
Though based on true events the movie is made too boring, it can put you to sleep. Jason Sudeikis guess forgot that it was not a funny movie and his main role was not carried out so nicely.
I saw only for the love of the car and that too due to Back to the Future.
A disappointing missed opportunity in this crime melodrama
akcenat14 October 2019
In an age where movies involving various real-life stories are becoming quite the trend, this film takes the story of the DeLorean scandal, who was charged with cocaine trafficking. The film is probably a little too lightweight to catch-on in a big way and from about the halfway point it shift in gear throwing everything out of sync & ultimately making the whole picture feel like two different movies. Judy Greer impressively over-achieves turning the thankless looking role of 'Ellen Hoffman' into one of the smarter and sexier characters. For Lee Pace alone, "Driven" is worth checking out eventually, but this is one you can afford to skip at the movies.
Rating: 6, just because of "Back to the Future" ;)
Rating: 6, just because of "Back to the Future" ;)
A lighthearted semi-comic loosely based biography..
alexqueens30 October 2019
A semi-comic biography that took a while to hook me, but once it did, this turned out to be quite an interesting piece of history.
Sudekis, predictably, plays a slightly goofy, slightly naive (but perhaps a little smarter than he lets on) neighbor to none other than Mr Delorean (whilst also being a reluctant FBI informant). And for anyone who's seen Lee Pace in the series Halt and Catch Fire, will notice that he channels his Joe MacMillan character back to life; which is not surprising, considering both that fictional character and the real life John DeLorean are not all that far apart. I wouldn't be surprised if his character on the series sealed him the starring role in Driven.
Sudekis, predictably, plays a slightly goofy, slightly naive (but perhaps a little smarter than he lets on) neighbor to none other than Mr Delorean (whilst also being a reluctant FBI informant). And for anyone who's seen Lee Pace in the series Halt and Catch Fire, will notice that he channels his Joe MacMillan character back to life; which is not surprising, considering both that fictional character and the real life John DeLorean are not all that far apart. I wouldn't be surprised if his character on the series sealed him the starring role in Driven.
Delorian was an absolute scumbag.
haidabom20 January 2022
That is my major complaint about this movie. He is made to be a sympathetic character in this movie, always talking about how he wants to "save all his workers jobs". That man would have fired his mother if it meant he profited from it.
He screwed over so many people in his life. He stole a patent from a trusting business associate and then made his life hell when he tried to get back what was his life's work.
I really liked both John and the informants performance in this, I just wish it was a little more accurate when it came to Delorians true character, it would have made it more fun to enjoy watching his great downfall.
He screwed over so many people in his life. He stole a patent from a trusting business associate and then made his life hell when he tried to get back what was his life's work.
I really liked both John and the informants performance in this, I just wish it was a little more accurate when it came to Delorians true character, it would have made it more fun to enjoy watching his great downfall.
A good movie...not a documentary
andrey-3523726 August 2019
Love cars and history...was fascinated by John DeLorean and his car as a kid. Just keep in mind, that this is a motion picture, a movie made to entertain, not educate and not a documentary....Good cast, although Jason Sudeciss steals the show, good cinematography, good directing. A movie about the case of John DeLorean, not himself. Was fun to watch.
GTO Tri-Power
flout729 August 2021
I was distracted at the start of this movie. It's supposed to be about a knowledgeable, famous car designer. Then he makes a bold statement at the beginning pertaining to the gorgeous GTO Tri-Power which he claims has three 4 Barrel carburetors sitting on a 389 cubic inch motor... that is quite inaccurate... Tri-Power relates to Three 2 Barrel carburetors.. Very famous engine. I stopped watching in order to make this quick observation... Some may think this is petty but I hope they do a better job with accuracy as I continue to watch.
Annoying Jason Sudekis
giorgiopalmas17 August 2019
Great movie!
minunimion29 March 2020
Fascinating story, I couldn't stop watching it!
I loved all the actors... very good acting!
I didn't know almost anything about DeLorean, but his car used in "Back To The Future"... beautiful, futuristic car that unfortunately and sadly, didn't work.
I recommend this movie, at the end, I decided for a 9/10.
I really can't see how it is possible to give it 1/10... there's no chance seriously you can be objective giving such that low score. To me guys, you watched another movie or you're really confused... next time, plug your brain in before writing BS, you're embarrassing yourself.
Not bad
btoews26 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
Pretty good-1970s nostalgia trip that might not be as interesting for younger viewers.The story is obviously written to be sympathetic to the FBI-when a police agency lends you the money that you need to commit your serious crime a reasoned person would conclude they are out to get you big time.
A disappointing effort
Maxbeta22 August 2019
The second of two productions about John DeLorean I've seen recently, this was by far the weakest. Lee Pace was fine but underused; the majority of the running time is taken up with Jason Sudeikis annoyingly stammering through his scenes in what seems like a comedy. There are scant details of the events or people involved, despite the almost two-hour length.
If you want to see the real story of the man, and his unfortunate downfall, watch the superior Framing John DeLorean docu-drama with Alec Baldwin.
If you want to see the real story of the man, and his unfortunate downfall, watch the superior Framing John DeLorean docu-drama with Alec Baldwin.
See also
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