Jon Bernthal’s 115-Minute Action Thriller ‘Baby Driver’ Is a Start-to-Finish Masterpiece

Over the course of his career, there have been many Jon Bernthal performances that have delighted fans. From being the face of vigilante justice in Marvel’s The Punisher to his turn as Ben Affleck’s brother in The Accountant 2, his physicality, emotion, and deadpan delivery allowed him to make an impression no matter the size of the role. One performance, however, stands out as something a little bit different. In Edgar Wright’s 2017 thriller Baby Driver, currently streaming on Paramount+, Bernthal plays Griff, a member of a robbery crew who brings more than bravado to the screen. It’s a role that requires him to dig a little deeper, resulting in a supporting performance that demands your attention.

Edgar Wright Tells a Crime Story at High Speed

Ansel Elgort stars in the film as Baby, a particularly talented getaway driver for a bank robbery gang run by the calculating Doc (Kevin Spacey). As his jobs, and co-workers, become increasingly riskier, he seeks a life away from crime, particularly after falling for waitress Debora (Lily James). However, breaking free from the gang proves more difficult and deadly than Baby expected.

The film was Wright’s second American-set production, following Scott Pilgrim Vs The World in 2010, and the first movie following his ill-fated collaboration with Marvel on the original Ant-Man. It was a box office success, making $227 million from a $34 million budget, and cemented Wright as a director who could effortlessly transition from independent comedies to broader-scale action. One of the key aspects of what made the movie so thrilling, however, was the inspiration it took from classic heist movies of the past.

‘Baby Driver’ Is Inspired by All-Time Action Classics

Image via Sony Pictures Releasing

Edgar Wright is a director who has always worn his cinematic influences on his sleeve. His 2003 breakthrough, Shawn of the Dead, paid homage to numerous iconic horror films, while follow-ups Hot Fuzz and The World’s End both included subtle and not-so-subtle references to Hollywood favorites. With Baby Driver, there was a strong influence from movies such as Vanishing Point, Heat, and Point Break, but done in such a way that the film felt like a natural successor rather than an imitation.

The character of Baby listens to music on an iPod to keep his momentum going, meaning that the incredible car chases and thrilling action sequences are soundtracked by some iconic needle drops. Add to that an ensemble cast that counts among some of the coolest in recent times — Jamie Foxx plays the sadistic henchman Bats, while Jon Hamm and Eiza Gonzalez appear as the crazy-in-love criminals Buddy and Darling. Elgort and James have magnetic chemistry in the leads, but one supporting role is more than the sum of its parts.

Jon Bernthal Spoke with Real Criminals for ‘Baby Driver’

What makes Griff stand out in the movie is Bernthal’s commitment to making every gesture seem important. The character is an experienced criminal and in charge of the crew’s security, so every movement is analyzed and assessed for danger. It’s a smaller role than the A-list stars he shares the screen with, but he makes an impression by being shrewd with his choices. In a movie filled with larger-than-life performances, Bernthal’s minimalism stands out, becoming more important as the story moves along.

Part of what made the actor’s performance so compelling was the research that was done to give Griff extra depth. Speaking to FilmInk at the time of the movie’s release, he revealed that he spoke to real-life career criminals in order to get a greater sense of the mindset required to sustain a life outside of the law. “I think there’s often a huge misconception, and especially in the ways criminals are portrayed in film and television,” he said. “There’s a misconception that to be criminal is to be uneducated or untalented. In the criminal world, people run the full gamut.”

Almost a decade later, Jon Bernthal is a household name and a key part of some of the highest-grossing movies of all time. Those looking for some smaller, but no less entertaining appearances from the actor should check out Baby Driver, a film that will satisfy anyone who wants to watch an action-packed modern thriller with retro sensibilities.

Release Date

June 28, 2017

Runtime

113 minutes

Director

Edgar Wright