Stuber

You can always rely on a small-scale, brisk buddy comedy at this time of the year. It’s one of those cinema tropes that seems to go down well, never doing enough to demand serious attention but leaving those who do see it with a smile on their face.

This year’s iteration is the really rather awfully named Stuber which concerns, you guessed it, an Uber driver called Stu (file this with Tak3n.) Into Stu’s life, and car, comes hardboiled cop Vic, partially sighted after an eye op’ and still chasing a long lost lead on a drug kingpin who killed his partner on the force.

Cue car chases, mishaps and comedy as the two polar opposites become embroiled across one really rather hectic day.

As predictable as the film is it’s to-the-point, efficient and, most importantly, funny. Dave Bautista has found his niche in action-comedy roles after Drax and Kumail Najiani follows the incredible The Big Sick (immediately see this if you haven’t already) where, peculiarly, he also played an Uber driver, with another deadpan, hugely likable and shrieking performance as the titular Stu.

It’s surprisingly graphic in parts, and gives due diligence to the heart at the centre of the film; Stu’s one-sided love for business partner Becca and Vic’s difficult relationship with his daughter are recurring themes and get worthy payoffs.

It’s speedy run time both serves the film well (perfect 90 minute Saturday night entertainment) but does hinder it in parts with some scenes feeling heavily edited and some jokes feeling like cut down improv’. The story doesn’t need embellishing per se but Iko Uwais’ villain Tadjo gets short shrift and the twist ending doesn’t feel entirely earned.

It’s a fun frolic starring two men who are destined to sit at the top table of comedy actors for some time. The clear Uber signposting doesn’t interfere with the laughs (not like the awful Sex Tape which felt like a skewed Apple commercial) and this is a ride worth taking. Your driver awaits.

3 stars ***