Joyride (2022)

OK, so luck does play a disproportionately big role in this rather far-fetched comedy drama, but all of that is redeemed by two really quite engaging performances from Olivia Coleman and Charlie Reid. The latter is a young lad who doesn't like the idea that his roguish father is about to appropriate some charity money, so absconds with it in a stolen taxi. Unbeknown to him though, his cab already has two passengers - "Joy" (Colman) and a young baby. What now ensues are some fun escapades as the young man realises that his middle-aged passenger - who is dressed in a fetching air-hostess yellow for most of the film - is trying to get her newborn to her sister for adoption and he begins to suspect that she might just be a bit of a commitment-phobe. It's a road trip film with a difference. Both characters gel well here and the young Reid has a mischievous confidence that belies his young years - indeed there are more than a couple of quite entertaining role-reversal scenarios to relish. The script is frequently pithy and lively and the scenery enjoyable to admire as the pair leap from frying pan to fire on an amiable journey across Ireland trying to avoid the Garda and his father en route. Olivia Colman is effective here, she has quite good comedy timing but the film really belongs to Reid and is actually much better than I was expecting.