How would you like to spend your daily rush hour drive working, watching a movie, or even taking a nap? That’s the appeal of self-driving cars for a majority of the population, never mind the opportunities it could provide for mass transit, transportation for the elderly and disabled, or commercial use. But are we willing to give up the undeniable satisfaction driving can provide, that thrill of cruising the open road and singing along to the radio just a little bit too loudly? Alex Horwitz’s documentary “Autonomy” examines the pros and cons of automated cars in an even-handed, informative way.
“Autonomy” was inspired by a special issue of Car and Driver edited by Malcolm Gladwell, who appears frequently in the doc as a talking head. The advance of automated cars is a worthy topic for discussion, as most people likely don’t know much about it beyond a few eye-catching headlines. But an interesting article does not necessarily justify a documentary, begging the question: Is it worth seeing “Autonomy” rather than just reading the magazine while waiting around for an oil change at Pep Boys?
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The answer is a mild, reserved yes. Horwitz’s documentary is not particularly cinematic, but it’s perfectly acceptable content for Netflix or other streaming providers. “Autonomy” won’t have you raving to your friends, but you leave it feeling educated about an issue that will have an increasingly significant impact on society in coming years. It helps that the film doesn’t overstay its welcome, clocking in at a brisk 80 minutes.
“Autonomy” takes a probing, objective approach. We hear from those directly involved in the car automation industry, as well as a colorful array of old-school car enthusiasts, including tattooed SoCal drag racers, an ultra-cool Porsche modifier in Japan, and an affable truck driver who brings her dog and a guitar along on trips. There’s a nice balance of executives arguing that automated cars will be safer and gearheads arguing that vintage cars embody “pure animal sex.”
Horwitz’s documentary works well when aping Gladwell’s intelligent, perpetually curious tone. Gladwell has a way of approaching familiar topics from clever angles, a quality “Autonomy” employs in its most fascinating moments. Why do we accept so many roadway fatalities caused by human error, but lose our minds over the first instance of an automated car-related death? A clip from “The Daily Show” captures the inherent uneasiness we feel towards automation, as Trevor Noah quips, “I don’t want to be killed by a machine – I want to be killed by Dave.”
Aside from obvious touchpoints like technology, safety, and regulation, “Autonomy” also hits on the history of the automotive industry, the rise and fall of Detroit, and our society’s shift away from ownership-based business models. Horwitz casts a wide net with varying degrees of success. Ultimately, “Autonomy” doesn’t have the sort of attention-grabbing hook that can really elevate a doc – there’s no stunning footage or unique personal connection to the material. That overarching lack keeps Horwitz’s doc from being more than something to watch on your couch on a lazy afternoon. “Autonomy” is worth a look, but only if it doesn’t involve getting in your car to see it. [C]
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