Who's Driving Doug

Road movies featuring young people learning life lessons are hardly scarce, but filmmaker David Michael Conley's adds a twist to the formula because the young man in question has muscular dystrophy and is confined to a wheelchair. RJ Mitte stars as Doug, who is fussed over by his widowed mother (Daphne Zuniga). Doug finds some solace in the friendship of college classmate Stephanie (Paloma Kwiatkowski), who accompanies him when his new driver, Scott (Ray William Johnson)—a fast-talking underachiever—suggests a trip to Las Vegas. What follows is a predictable series of episodes in which, under Scott's prodding (and some alcoholic stimulation), Doug ventures out of his shell. Of course, things also deteriorate among the traveling trio, with Doug becoming jealous over the closeness that develops between Scott and Stephanie (and there's a bit of melodrama with scenes set in a hospital). While Who's Driving Doug travels a familiar route, the cast also works hard to overcome the script's banalities, bringing some welcome emotional depth to the film. A strong optional purchase. (F. Swietek)