The first production by Revlover Films has had its premiere. Diary of an Uber Driver screened last night, August 14, on ABC TV + iview. RevLover Films is the TV & feature film sister company to Revolver/ Will O’Rourke, founded by Martha Coleman, Michael Ritchie & Steve Rogers.
The six-part comedy-drama series, which has already won the praise of Sydney Morning Herald reviewer, Ben Pobjie, who in his article, “Uber is the modern Fawlty Towers as strangers collide”, is based on the well-known blog & e-book written by Ben Phillips and directed by two-time Berlinale Crystal Bear winning director, Matthew Moore.
It follows Uber driver Ben, played by actor & illustrator Sam Cotton, who goes about his days helping passengers get from A to B, all the while trying to figure out his own life. As he navigates his way through impending fatherhood and a relationship in which he often feels like a spare part, he also encounters colourful characters through the revolving door of his car. “It’s a premise that will surely resonate with many,” Pobjie wrote.
The series was produced by Martha Coleman and Lauren Edwards, written by Thomas Ward and shot by Fast and the Furious franchise DOP, Stephen F. Windon.
Fairfax arts reviewer, Bridget McManus gave the series a 4-star review in her critic’s choice section. “This comedy is darkly absurd, the connections human, and the actions spills out into the stationary world, taking intriguing turns along the way,” she wrote.
Eddie Cockrell reviewed the series in Review. “Good writing is the key to any show’s success, and by that metric ABC’s new half-hour comedy-drama Diary of an Uber Driver rates a trip score of five stars…. Matthew Moore’s direction places welcome emphasis on naturalism over-exaggeration, while veteran cinematographer Stephen F. Windon bathes Sydney in an appealing glow. Here’s a ride worth taking, and sharing,” he noted.
In the short time since it was founded RevLover has built a significant slate of film and television projects, working with some of Australia’s most distinguished creatives and securing development deals with domestic and international market partners including Foxtel, All3 Media, the ABC, Stan, eOne and Transmission Films.
RevLover Films turns hit book, Diary of an Uber Driver, into a sure-to-be-hit series
Your next chance to enjoy Uber Driver is Wednesday night, August 21 on ABC TV + iview at 9.30pm.
