We continue our latest series of examining some of the works outside the saga of some of our most beloved actors in a galaxy far, far away.
Today we continue with Kylo Ren/Ben Solo actor – Adam Driver
Adam Douglas Driver was born on November 19th 1983 in California. After his parents divorced when he was just aged seven, Driver was primarily raised by his stepfather who was a Baptist. At the age of eighteen he decided to try his hand at acting and move to Los Angeles. He only lasted a week, however, and had to return home after realising he didn’t have enough money to survive. Not long after the events of September 11th 2001, Driver joined the Marine Corps. He served a total of two years and eight months before being discharged on medical grounds after fracturing his sternum. He holds the rank of Lance Corporal. Driver, along with his wife, reside in Brooklyn, New York and have two children together.
Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)
This black comedy from the Coen Brothers follows the story of a struggling folk singer, played by Oscar Issac, in 1961 as he attempts to get his career going and maintain a complex personal life. Standing at 92% on the notorious Rotten Tomatoes, the film is a fine piece of work from the Coen Brothers. Wonderfully led by Issac (in his breakthrough role) the cast is rounded out by Carey Mulligan, John Goodman, Justin Timberlake and Driver. I watched this film during lockdown, and it really is a smart and wonderfully crafted piece of storytelling. The film ranked 11th on The New York Times’ ‘Best Films of the 21st Century…so far’ and was nominated for no less than 90 awards after its release and won 27 of them.
Silence (2016)
What do you get if you put Spiderman, Kylo Ren and Qui-Gon Jinn in a film together? Well, you get this historical modern masterpiece from Martin Scorsese. Andrew Garfield and Adam Driver lead the cast set in 1600’s Japan and play a pair of Priests who receive word that Father Ferrerria (Neeson) has renounced his faith, an unthinkable act to commit during the time period. Scorsese had been working on the film for 25 years and it was long known to be his passion project. The film is breathtaking to behold and is based on the book of the same name. It received universal acclaim across the globe and won an Academy Award for Cinematography the following year. The film was put in the top ten of all major film lists of the year and was ranked the best film of the year by The Los Angeles Times. Of all the films on this list, I can’t recommend this one enough. It’s absolutely beautiful, wonderfully complex and a masterclass in storytelling.
Marriage Story (2019)
By the time of 2019, Driver’s time as the new villain of Star Wars was coming to an end and he was truly at the top of his fame and talents. Much like McGregor a generation before, Driver was able to leave his Star Wars persona aside during the gaps between films and branch into work that truly flexed his dramatic talents. This drama by Noah Baumbach follows the story of a tragic divorce and custody issues surrounding the couple’s son. Driver plays opposite Scarlett Johansson and both were nominated for Oscars for their efforts in the film. The film received universal critical acclaim from critics and also stars fellow Star Wars alumnus Laura Dern. Available now on Netflix.
BlacKkKlansman (2018)
This comedy/drama from Spike Lee was nominated for six Oscars and marked a return to form for the writer/director as Lee won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay. It tells the true story of a 1970’s African American Colorado detective and his attempts to infiltrate the Klu Klux Kan. Driver is the co-lead here opposite John David Washington and the film is brutally honest and depicts racial tensions at the time in the United States. Driver was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the film at the Academy Awards and this continued his streak of massive hits during this time. The film also won the prestigious Grand Prix award at the Canne Film Festival that year.
The Last Duel (2021)
This historical epic, directed by Ridley Scott, had a script that was penned by Nicole Holofcener, Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. It received strong reviews upon its release but performed poorly at the box office as cinemas were still finding their footing again the covid shutdowns. It did, however, find a second life on digital and streaming services. The film is set in medieval France and tells the same story from three different perspectives and is broken into three different chapters. The story follows the events of a knight who challenges his fellow squire to a duel after one is accused of committing an insidious crime against the other’s wife, played by Jodie Comer (a.k.a Rey’s Mother in Episode IX) The National Board of Review selected the film as one of the ten best of the year and it was distributed by 20th Century Pictures meaning the film is available to stream on Star via Disney+.
Paterson (2016)
This drama follows the story of Paterson, Driver, who is a bus driver/poet but dreams of being a country music artist and opening a cupcake business. The film is one of those brilliantly undramatic dramas in which, actually, very little happens but such is the case in most of our day-to-day lives. Most days are uneventful. The film takes place over one week and follows Paterson as he wakes up, heads out to work, drives the bus, writes poetry on his break then heads for a beer after work. The film was nominated for numerous awards with Driver taking home two and the film holds a 96% rating on the infamous Rotten Tomatoes.
65 (2023)
I couldn’t not include this film on the list. It was hardly going to win any awards but if you need some fun and to switch off your brain for a bit then this is one for you. Driver plays Commander Mills, an astronaut who crash lands on a mysterious planet and battles the elements to survive. So, the mysterious planet is Earth and the elements to be battled are Dinosaurs. The film is set 65 million years ago, you see. Bonkers stuff but it works. I watched this film last year and if I recall I’d had a ridiculously busy and full-on day. My head hurt and this popped up on one of the streamers. It worked a treat, and I enjoyed it for what it was. Driver took on the film for no other reason than his son was obsessed with dinosaurs at the time. What a great reason!
Driver was the lead in Francis Ford Coppola’s latest effort Megalopolis which was released in September and will next be seen in an ensemble piece called Father, Mother, Brother, Sister.