Watch Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u

"Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)" is a cinematic expression that takes viewers on a road trip through Olivia Rodrigo's breakout year, offering an introspective look at the experiences and inspirations behind her critically acclaimed debut album, "SOUR." Starring the Grammy-winning singer-songwriter herself, alongside her close collaborators, producer Dan Nigro and guitarist Heather Elizabeth Baker, the film is a fusion of documentary-style storytelling, music performance, and artistic visuals.

The movie opens with a serene drive across the desert landscape, with the ever-charismatic Olivia Rodrigo at the wheel, inviting the audience into her world. In this intimate journey, we accompany Olivia as she travels from Salt Lake City, where she first conceived parts of "SOUR," to Los Angeles, reflecting the geographical and emotional distance she has traversed in her personal and professional life.

Throughout the film, Olivia reveals the creative process behind "SOUR," an album that resonated with millions for its honest portrayal of teenage angst, heartache, and the trials of growing up in the public eye. Personal anecdotes and retrospectives are interwoven with Rodrigo's narration, as she delves into the genesis of each track, shedding light on her songwriting prowess and the very personal experiences that fueled her music.

Permeating the documentary is a series of visually stunning performances that see Rodrigo bring her songs to life in unique locations, designed to echo the themes of the corresponding tracks. These performances are not mere reiterations of album versions but reimagined renditions, often stripped-down or altered to fit the mood of the film's narrative path, thereby offering fans a different perspective on the hit songs they've come to love.

In collaboration with her producer Dan Nigro, the film explores the chemistry between artist and producer, showcasing the organic process that birthed the sharply crafted pop anthems. Their synergy is evident in their shared discussions and spontaneous moments of creativity caught on camera. As a key figure in Rodrigo's musical journey, Nigro provides insights into the artistic choices that shaped "SOUR," from the distinctive soundscapes to the lyrical depth.

Heather Elizabeth Baker, Rodrigo's guitarist, is also a prominent presence, accompanying Olivia both on her literal and metaphorical journey. Her musical contributions in live arrangements and the exploration of the dynamics between her and Rodrigo demonstrate the collaborative spirit that played an essential role in bringing the album to reality.

"driving home 2 u" transcends the conventional concert film or behind-the-scenes documentary. It is as much about the music as it is about the artist herself. Seasoned with raw emotions, the movie serves as an audiovisual diary entry, illustrating Rodrigo's whirlwind year with narrative fluency. It’s a film for the fans but also invites newcomers to understand the emotional landscape from which "SOUR" was cultivated.

Directorial choices emphasize the importance of the narrative, ensuring that the film does not simply retrace the steps of Rodrigo's rise to fame but instead offers a creatively packaged introspective that matches the vulnerability and aesthetics of her album. Coupled with a mixture of vérité footage, interviews, and poetic visuals, the film maintains a dreamlike quality while rooted firmly in Rodrigo's lived reality.

Viewers are treated to a collage of landscapes, from the evocative expanse of the desert to the bustling backdrop of Los Angeles. Each geographical location is carefully chosen to represent specific emotions and stages in Rodrigo's personal journey and career. These backdrops serve as metaphoric canvases, where Rodrigo paints with her words and music.

As she drives, Rodrigo reflects. She shares not only her successes but also her doubts, her moments of ecstatic creativity alongside her confrontations with vulnerability. Through her lens, the audience witnesses the complexities of turning raw emotion into art, the pressure of the spotlight, and the struggle to remain authentic in an industry often criticized for its capacity to homogenize unique voices.

"Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u (a SOUR film)" is ultimately a celebration of a formative chapter in a young artist’s life, offering unprecedented access to her journey and insights into her heart and mind. It is an ode to the music that defined a generation, a tribute to the creative process, and a heartfelt reflection on the road traveled and the road ahead for Olivia Rodrigo. Its appeal lies not just in the music, but in the narrative of empowerment and the resonant chord it strikes in anyone who has ever navigated the complex emotions of young adulthood.

Olivia Rodrigo: driving home 2 u is a 2022 documentary with a runtime of 1 hour and 16 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.2 and a MetaScore of 66.