DVD Corner

Daddio DVD Review

“Daddio” is a rewarding character piece. 

Written and directed by Christy Hall, “Daddio” is a simple story involving a young woman (simply known as Girlie) taking a taxi cab from JFK airport to her Manhattan home. The cab driver (Clark) strikes up a chat with her and the two begin to have a cathartic and surprising exchange that allows them to not only open up, but work through emotions.

As someone who treasures conversational films like “Before Sunrise” and “My Dinner With Andre,” this R-Rated two-hander spoke to me. It’s a moving character drama about connections that feels all the more relevant in an age where people are glued to phones and technology and not talking to one another physically. Admittedly, “Daddio” may not be for everyone, but those with a love of indie dramas with smart and poignant dialogue will find a lot to admire here. 

One might think the film wouldn’t be very cinematic given that it’s set inside a taxi cab, but Hall really captures the essence of New York on this last fare taxi ride. Obviously though, the heart of the story is the characters who discuss everything from relationships to regrets. The characters get so deep with one another that it feels like you’re just eavesdropping in on a real conversation. It’s that grounded of a story. 

The film wouldn’t work at all if not for the actors. Luckily, the movie features two of the best in the biz with Sean Penn and Dakota Johnson. Both actors are entirely locked into the roles and have electric chemistry together. This is the type of movie that is an actor’s dream as it’s not only heavy on character and dialogue, but it allows the two cast members to play off of each other for the entirety of the movie.

Video/Audio:

Presentation: 2.39:1. How does it look? The DVD transfer is satisfactory.

Audio Track: Dolby Digital 5.1. How does it sound? From the dialogue to the sounds of New York, this 5.1 track is effective. 

Extras include a trailer and an insightful and infectious 14 minute “In Conversation With Christy Hall” who talks about the inspiration for the film, the themes, the casting and rehearsals, characters and more.

September 2, 2024 - Posted by nicklyons1 | DVD review | Daddio DVD Review, Dakota Johnson, New York, Sean Penn, Taxi Cab