FILM REVIEW:BIG DRIVER

By Natalie Reehl

Master of suspense Stephen King and Lifetime  have teamed up for a little pre-Halloween scare in the form of Big Driver – a Lifetime Original film based on a Stephen King story by the same name. Premiering on on Saturday, October 18, it should be no surprise that the film is not for the faint of heart or the faint of stomach.

Maria Bello stars in the Lifetime Original movie Big Driver/Photo credit: Zac Dilgard

Big Driver was first published as a novella within King’s critically acclaimed collection Full Dark, No Stars and tells the story of a young novelist hell-bent on revenge after the core of her psyche is broken following a brutal crime.

Starring Golden Globe nominee Maria Bello, Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis, Grammy Award nominee Joan Jett and Will Harris, the film follows Tess Thorne (Bello), a famous and revered mystery and thriller writer, who faces a long dark drive home following a book signing engagement.

After her car breaks down, Tess is stranded on the side of the road but is immediately encouraged when another motorist approaches offering help.  In typical Stephen King fashion, the story takes off when Tess Thorne finds herself stuck outside of a broken down diner off a main highway when a piece of wood ruins her tire, and a deceiving man stops to help and ends up ruining her life and her sanity.

Maria Bello and Olympia Dukakis in the Lifetime Original Movie Big Driver/Photo credit Chris Reardon

At one point, it appears that Tess’ attacker may actually get away; but Tess, driven by revenge, will not rest until she makes him pay.

The film features voice-over narration which is revealed to be Tess writing posts and documenting her experience; and creative direction coupled with a spine-tingling score will likely keep audiences, much like Tess, completely uncomfortable and agitated.

In typical Stephen King fashion, Big Driver illustrates how a seemingly innocent and plausible situation can lead to sheer terror. The film’s ability to deeply delve into the blaming-the-victim pathology that rings sadly and eerily true in the wake of sexual assault will particularly resonate with audiences and makes Tess both sympathetic and heroic.

Find out more at http://www.mylifetime.com/movies/big-driver, and tune in to Lifetime at 8/7c on Saturday, October 18 for the world premiere.