Movie #1226 .........................."9 Rides"

Movie #1226 "9 Rides" is another Chicago film festival entry that I got to watch this past week.  What's unique about the film is it is shot entirely with an I-phone.  In the Q & A, the director talked about hiding in the trunk and various places in the car during scenes.  The story of the film is about a man of color who is an Uber driver on new year's eve (to add a conflict, he thinks his girlfriends is two-timing him with someone else so when he isn't driving, he tries to find where she is)  I gave up counting if there were indeed 9 Rides --- because it seemed a steady stream with all kinds of problems from emotional abuse of a partner, to a drunk scene with kids that causes a policeman to stop the uber driver and test if he is drunk --- lots of indignity in that scene -- very poignant and topical.    I liked the claustrophobia of being in the cab most of the 90 minutes, the driver was good, and I got a strong sense what it would be like to have a job like this  on New year's eve  --- I would give it a 4 out of 5 --- a major problem was not being as clear as it could be in the ending.  Otherwise, good effort to explain what this guy's life is like.

9 RIDES     2016           NR             4 stars out of 5

To earn some extra money for his upcoming wedding, an Uber driver spends New Year's Eve motoring around Los Angeles transporting an array of fares. But in the midst of his busy shift, he receives life-changing news.

Cast: Dorian Missick, Omar Dorsey, Robinne Lee