Written and directed by Michael Dowse, “The Stunt Driver” is based on the true story of Ken Carter โMad Canadianโ (Jay Baruchel), the world champion stunt driver who tried to jump a mile over the St. Lawrence River in a rocket car in the mid-seventies. After many broken bones, Kenโs dream was to end his 30-year career with a big jump, a big paycheck, and to one-up his American rival Evel Knievel (Ben Foster). He enlists the best in rocket car design (Ed Helms as engineer Dick Keller), a big sports manager and builds a 90-foot ramp. Two vying crews film documentaries leading up to the event.
In the vein of “Free Solo” or “Fitzcarraldo,” this is an underdog story about one manโs singular blinding passion to complete the impossible, to finish what he started. Whatโs both funny and tragic is that his mile-long jump, to anyone with two eyes, is completely impossible.
