Drift Away (2021): Cast & Ratings
Drift Away is a 2021 drama starring Jérémie Renier as Laurent, Marie-Julie Maille and Xavier Beauvois. It runs 1 hour 55 minutes. Its Echo Score is 66/100.
What Is Drift Away About?
The premise of Drift Away without spoilers.
A young gendarmerie commander named Laurent, stationed in a quiet Normandy town, is preparing for his wedding to Marie, the mother of his daughter. Despite finding fulfillment in his work, he faces daily social isolation. His routine is disrupted when a distressed farmer attempts to flee, leading Laurent to confront a complex situation and unexpected challenges within his community.
Drift Away Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- family relationships
- fiance fiancee relationship
- police
- gendarmerie
- gendarme
- police officer
- year 2019
- 2010s
- shot in leg
- suicide
- death
- france
+38 more Show fewer
- boat
- sailing
- storm
- hallucination
- interrogation
- gun
- farmer
- marriage plans
- marriage proposal
- daughter
- kiss
- cigarette smoking
- work
- one word title
- written by director
- birthday
- birthday cake
- cliff
- beach
- photographer
- e cigarette
- drunk
- explosion
- singing
- choir
- children's choir
- motorboat
- model boat
- model sailboat
- jigsaw puzzle
- peasant
- cat
- cow
- photograph
- suicidal thoughts
- considering suicide
- sailboat
- vomiting
Drift Away Cast & Characters
Jérémie Renier leads the cast as Laurent, with Marie-Julie Maille as Marie and Xavier Beauvois as Jacques.
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Jérémie Renier as Laurent - Marie-Julie Maille as Marie
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Xavier Beauvois as Jacques -
Iris Bry as Carole
Also Starring in Drift Away
· 14 more- Victor Belmondo Quentin
- Pierre Creton Bruno
- Marc Prin Commandant Merle
- Sophie Chen Femme couple mariés
- Jean-Pierre Leduc Le maire
- Madeleine Beauvois Poulette
- Olivier Fornara Agent 1 DDPP
- Olivier Chen Homme couple mariés
- Olivier Pequery Pierre
- Geoffroy Sery Julien
- Suzanne Lipinska Rose-Aimée
- Stéphanie Brabant Séverine Lemonnier
- Alexandre Lefrançois Olivier
- Sébastien Noël Roland
Drift Away Reviews & Ratings
Our Echo Score gives it 66/100, strongest in art & craft (78) and weakest in story & flow (58).
Drift Away Echo Score Breakdown
Drift Away presents a mixed portrait, balancing moments of thoughtful direction and a compelling central performance against uneven pacing and a thinly developed supporting cast. Critics and viewers praise Jeremie Renier’s nuanced portrayal and the film’s occasional visual restraint, yet many note a languid narrative and underwritten female characters that dilute emotional impact. The cumulative effect is a film that intrigues but often stalls, delivering a moderately positive yet conflicted overall impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 78
In terms of art and craft, the film shows careful direction and restrained visual styling that many reviewers found effective. Critics highlighted the director's discretion and tasteful cinematography, while some noted occasional pacing drag and a manipulative twist that weakened overall execution. The consensus points to solid technical work, though not uniformly flawless, resulting in a respectable artistic rating.
- Character & Emotion 60
When evaluating character and emotion, Renier’s performance is widely praised for depth and authenticity. However, the surrounding characters, especially female roles, are described as underdeveloped and stereotypical, which diminishes the ensemble's resonance. This contrast yields a mixed but balanced view of the character work, reflected in a middle‑range score.
- Story & Flow 58
Story and flow receive divergent feedback: the initial setup is seen as engaging and the later twists as humanistic, yet the pacing is often called slow and the narrative sometimes generic. Viewers note long sections that hinder emotional investment, while others appreciate the realistic progression. The overall storyline is judged adequate but uneven, leading to a modest score.
- Sensory Experience 70
Sensory experience is highlighted by several reviewers for its evocative music and understated visual tone. The soundtrack is described as extraordinary, and the visual palette supports the film’s mood without overwhelming it. Though not universally discussed, the sensory elements consistently receive positive remarks, justifying a comparatively higher rating.
- Rewatch Factor 65
Rewatch factor is influenced by the film’s gripping moments and strong lead performance, which invite repeat viewings for subtler nuances. Nonetheless, the uneven pacing and narrative predictability may limit lasting appeal for some audiences. The balance of intrigue and friction results in a moderate but hopeful rewatch potential.
Drift Away Trailers & Videos
The trailer of Drift Away.
Drift Away Also Known As
3 alternative titles, including “Альбатрос” and “Албатрос”.
- Also known as
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- Альбатрос
- Албатрос
- Albatrosz
Seen Drift Away?
Movies Like Drift Away
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including The Drifting, Drift and Driftwood.
Drift Away FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, cast, post-credit scenes and language of Drift Away, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Drift Away?
Drift Away runs 1 hour 55 minutes (115 minutes).
When was Drift Away released?
Drift Away was released on March 2, 2021.
Who is in the cast of Drift Away?
Drift Away stars Jérémie Renier as Laurent, Marie-Julie Maille as Marie and Xavier Beauvois as Jacques, among 18 credited actors.
Does Drift Away have a post-credit scene?
No. Drift Away has no extra scene during or after the credits.
What language is Drift Away in?
The original language of Drift Away is French.
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