

^ Goldrich, Robert (21 February 2020).^ a b "The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival".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." Accolades ĭrunk Bus won the Best Narrative Feature Award from both the Jury and the Audience at the 2020 San Diego International Film Festival. They praised the film's perfect casting, memorable secondary characters, and the standout performance of Pineapple Tangaroa. She praised the film's ability to surprise viewers by subverting expectations and highlighted its sincere exploration of trust and healing, as well as the standout performances of the main cast. Monica Castillo of rated Drunk Bus 3 out of 4 stars and described it as a "sweet, late bloomer coming-of-age comedy".

She also praised how the portrayal of the character Pineapple skillfully avoided falling into the " Magical Negro" trope. She highlighted the film's believable performances and deep understanding of the setting in Kent, Ohio, which lent it a "cheeriness that is both entertaining and heartwarming". In her review for The Guardian, Phuong Le praised the "slacker comedy" for its ability to avoid feeling "grating" despite its over-familiar indie elements. 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." According to Metacritic, which assigned a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 11 critics, the film received "generally favorable reviews". On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 43 reviews, with an average rating of 7.2/10. In January 2021, FilmRise acquired North American distribution rights to the film. On October 15, 2020, the film premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival. However, the SXSW Festival was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, thus postponing the premiere of Drunk Bus. The film was to have made its worldwide premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020. Principal photography began on Main Rochester, and wrapped on March 18. Will Forte as Fred, Michael's boss at the depot (uncredited) Ĭarlucci 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.

Martin Pfefferkorn as FU Bob, an elderly passenger Michael helps.Sarah Mezzanotte as Amy, Michael's ex-girlfriend.Zach Cherry as Josh, Michael's lazy roommate.Pineapple Tangaroa as Pineapple, a bodyguard hired for Michael's bus after an altercation.
Thompson drunk bus driver#

Simultaneously, Michael deals with the aftermath of a painful breakup while trying to find his place in the world. As they spend time together, an unlikely friendship forms, and Pineapple provides Michael with valuable life advice, prompting him to reconsider his perspective. Despite his initial intimidation, Michael discovers Pineapple's kind and insightful nature. He spends his nights driving the "drunk bus," shuttling intoxicated students back to their dorms from parties.įollowing a violent incident on the bus, Michael's boss hires Pineapple, an imposing man with Maori face tattoos and piercings, as his security. Michael, a recent college graduate, finds himself stuck as a bus driver for a party school in Ohio after failing to pursue his dream of becoming a writer. The film was released on May 20, 2021, and received positive reviews from critics. It is Carlucci and LaGanke's directorial debut. Drunk Bus is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke and starring Charlie Tahan and Kara Hayward.
