Synopsis
Stu drives a cab, he lives for the 5 star life. Vic is a cop, he lives for revenge over his partner's death. With Vic unable to drive he uses an app that his daughter has downloaded for him... Uber. It isn't quite the ride that Stu had hoped for though.
Review
I'm in a bit of a film rut. There's a distinct average spot opening up, and this is yet another film to fall into it as it doesn't live up to its trailer.
Stu and his best friend from college are starting their own business. Stu is pushing himself to the limit going straight from his day job to driving an Uber at night. He aims for the 5 star experience but he's getting dangerously close to 4. He has to take every job that turns up and keep his fingers crossed.
Vic is set on one target, the man who killed his partner. The case is about to be handed over to the FBI, but when he gets a tip off he has to take this last shot while he can. There's only one problem, he can't drive, but Uber can.
When Stu picks him up it's clear that the two have very different expectations of the ride ahead. Vic doesn't understand Uber but he understands 5 stars and he holds it over Stu as he tries to track down his target.
Kumail Nanjiani is great. I've loved him ever since I watched Franklin & Bash and it's brilliant to see him getting more lead roles. Comedy is so natural to him that even the simplest lines come to life on screen. Dave Bautista is what I'd call a hard-ass with a heart, and he can do the understated humour really well. While he has some good moments in Stuber I'm not convinced that he's suited for a lead role in a comedy film. The duo do work well together though.
There's a scene in a vet's office where we really see Nanjiani shine. Two of my favourite bits of the film are in this scene... you know what? It's more than two, this scene is filled with some wonderfully fun things and there's a brilliant music transition. I would love to put all the things down here but that would definitely constitute spoilers.
It's a very weird feeling right now, looking back on the film there are lots of moments to enjoy. The way scenes are choreographed, the rapport between Nanjiani and Bautista, the way they treat action movie tropes. Sitting through it was a different matter though. The ideas sadly work better than the execution in some areas.
What you should do
It's entertaining but I don't think it's cinema ticket entertaining. Definitely one to try when it hits streaming though.
Movie thing you wish you could take home
There are some particularly good Christmas jumpers, and we all know how I feel about Christmas jumpers.
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