BEST MOVIES OF 2021 (Lists)

[Chris Knipp]

It also may be that he is improving himself - by fits and starts as before - more significantly lately. WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY was a beautiful, elegant study of people, but an anthology film in three unrelated parts, whereas from what I gather (I'm still waiting to see it if I can get to the Landmark Shattuck in this stormy holiday week in Northern California without being able to drive because I have a broken wrist) DRIVE MY CAR layers its parts complexly in a single narrative and may be the best thing he's done yet, judging by the international response.

The leap forward in recognition (and quality) is shown in that HAPPY HOUR (which was something like his sixth feature and tenth film), the first time he seemed to be significantly noticed in New York, was included in New Directors/New Films, whereas this year both of his two latest features were deemed worthy of the highly selective Main Slate of the NYFF.

WHEEL OF FORTUNE AND FANTASY was released in the US Oct. 15, and DRIVE MY CAR in November 2021.