Drunk Bus
Drunk Bus is a 2020 American comedy-drama film directed by John Carlucci and Brandon LaGanke and starring Charlie Tahan and Kara Hayward. It is Carlucci and LaGanke's directorial debut.[2][3] The film was released on May 20, 2021, and received positive reviews from critics.
| Drunk Bus | |
|---|---|
![]() Promotional poster  | |
| Directed by | 
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| Written by | Chris Molinaro | 
| Produced by | 
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| Starring | 
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| Cinematography | Luke McCoubrey | 
| Edited by | Taylor Levy | 
| Music by | 
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Production companies  | 
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| Distributed by | FilmRise | 
Release dates  | |
Running time  | 101 minutes | 
| Country | United States | 
| Language | English | 
Premise
    
A mid-20s bus driver starts to have a new outlook on life after getting dumped and meeting a strange new friend who pushes him out of his comfort zone.
Cast
    
- Charlie Tahan as Michael, a 20-something driver of a drunk bus
 - Kara Hayward as Kat, Michael's friend
 - Pineapple Tangaroa as Pineapple, a bodyguard hired for Michael's bus after an altercation.
 - Zach Cherry as Josh, Michael's lazy roommate
 - Sarah Mezzanotte as Amy, Michael's ex-girlfriend
 - Dave Hill as Devo Ted, a drug dealer
 - Tonatiuh Elizarraraz as Justin
 - Martin Pfefferkorn as FU Bob, an elderly passenger Michael helps.
 - Frank Iero as Himself
 - Joe Napier as Justin's boyfriend
 - Dresden Engle as Bus Driver
 - Will Forte as Fred, Michael's boss at the depot (uncredited)[4]
 
Production
    
Carlucci 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.[5] Principal photography began on March 1, 2019 in Rochester,[6][7][8] and wrapped on March 18.[9]
Release
    
The film was to have made its worldwide premiere at South by Southwest in March 2020.[10][11][12][13] However, the SXSW Festival was cancelled in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, thus postponing the premiere of Drunk Bus.[14][15][16] On October 15, 2020, the film premiered at the San Diego International Film Festival.[1]
In January 2021, FilmRise acquired North American distribution rights to the film.[17][18]
Reception
    
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 98% based on 42 reviews, with an average rating of 7.3/10. 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."[19] According to Metacritic, which assigned a weighted average score of 65 out of 100 based on 11 critics, the film received "generally favorable reviews".[20]
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."[21]
Accolades
    
Drunk Bus won the Best Narrative Feature Award from both the Jury and the Audience at the 2020 San Diego International Film Festival.[22]
References
    
- "The Re-Imagined 2020 San Diego International Film Festival". San Diego Magazine. 28 September 2020. Retrieved 23 October 2020.
 - Goldrich, Robert (21 February 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke, John Carlucci Drive "Drunk Bus" To SXSW Fest". Shoot (advertising magazine). Retrieved 2 March 2020.
 - Wojnar, Zak (25 March 2020). "Directors Brandon LaGanke And John Carlucci Interview: Drunk Bus". Screen Rant. Retrieved 2 April 2020.
 - "'Drunk Bus' takes viewers on an epically funny ride". 21 May 2021.
 - "Movie filmed in Rochester and starring Charlie Tahan, Will Forte to be screened at Little".
 - Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". CW Rochester. Retrieved 30 June 2019.
 - Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". WHAM-TV. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
 - Molloy, Matt (1 March 2019). "Filming for movie "Drunk Bus" underway in Rochester". WUHF. Retrieved 14 March 2019.
 - Carlson, Cody (18 March 2019). "Filming For Upcoming Movie Wraps up in Montour Falls". WENY-TV. Retrieved 25 March 2019.
 - Lanier, Hunter (22 March 2020). "Drunk Bus". Film Threat. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
 - "FRANK IERO WILL APPEAR IN A NEW MOVIE PREMIERING AT SXSW". Kerrang!. 16 January 2020. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
 - Quiles, Alyssa (15 January 2020). "FRANK IERO TO APPEAR IN COMEDY-DRAMA 'DRUNK BUS' PREMIERING AT SXSW". Alternative Press. Retrieved 25 January 2020.
 - Trapp, Philip (16 January 2020). "My Chemical Romance's Frank Iero to Appear in New Movie at South by Southwest". Loudwire. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
 - ""Drunk Bus" Star Charlie Tahan On His Comedy Alongside Directors John Carlucci & Brandon LaGanke". Yahoo!. 9 March 2020. Retrieved 14 March 2020.
 - "Coronavirus Hits Indie Films". Cheddar (TV channel). 9 March 2020. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
 - Eakin, Marah (16 April 2020). "Dave Hill and the Drunk Bus directors on booze, poop, and Devo". The A.V. Club. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
 - Prange, Stephanie (18 January 2021). "FilmRise Acquires Feature 'Drunk Bus'". Media Play News. Retrieved 3 February 2021.
 - Wiseman, Andreas (15 January 2021). "'Drunk Bus' North America Deal; Pact For 'Bisping' UFC Doc; Liquid Media Group CEO — North America Briefs". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved 16 March 2021.
 - "Drunk Bus (2020)". Rotten Tomatoes. Fandango. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
 - "Drunk Bus Reviews". Metacritic. Red Ventures. Retrieved May 25, 2021.
 - Schaefer, Sandy (17 March 2020). "Drunk Bus Review: Charming Cast Leads Adventureland-Style Comedy". Screen Rant. Retrieved 19 March 2020.
 - "2020 Filmmaker Awards | San Diego International Film Festival". 2020-10-21. Retrieved 2020-10-23.
 
