Watch At the Drive-In

At the Drive-In is a heartwarming documentary that chronicles the journey of two small town do-it-yourself entrepreneurs, Jeff Mattox and Virgil Cardamone, who set out on a mission to save a historic drive-in movie theater in rural Pennsylvania from an imminent threat of closure. Directed by Alexander Monelli, the film is a tribute to the grit and passion of the human spirit as it takes on the challenges of preserving art and culture in the face of economic and technological changes.

The movie is set in 2014 when Jeff and Virgil, both customers and employees of the Mahoning Drive-In Theater, received a devastating news that the theater was going to shut down due to the high costs of maintaining the aging equipment and the declining audience turnout. The Mahoning Drive-In, one of the few remaining drive-ins in the country, was not just a place to watch movies; it was a community hub, a nostalgic landmark, and a dreamland for movie buffs who sought the thrill of watching classic and cult films under the stars.

With no money, no experience, and no backing from big investors, Jeff and Virgil decided to take matters into their own hands and launch a crowdfunding campaign to buy the theater from its owner who was willing to sell it. They pitched their idea on social media, local newspapers, and TV stations, and soon they received an outpouring of support from the community and beyond. People donated not only money but also their time, skills, and resources to help Jeff and Virgil restore the theater to its former glory.

The movie follows Jeff and Virgil through various stages of their endeavor, from negotiating the sale of the theater with its owner to cleaning up the debris, fixing the projectors, and promoting the screenings. We get to meet the colorful cast of characters who make up the Mahoning Family, including the loyal regulars who have been coming to the theater for decades, the volunteers who work tirelessly behind the scenes, and the special guests who visit the theater to share their love of movies with the fans.

One of the highlights of the movie is the Mahoning Drive-In's signature event, the "Dusk Till Dawn Horror Fest," a marathon of horror movies that begins at dusk and ends at dawn. The festival, which attracts thousands of attendees from across the country, is a testament to the power of community and collaboration. Jeff and Virgil show us how they create a magical atmosphere by decorating the theater with spooky props, hosting trivia games and giveaways, and projecting rare and obscure horror films that are hard to find elsewhere.

At the Drive-In is not only a celebration of the Mahoning Drive-In and its resurrection, but also a commentary on the state of the movie industry in the digital age. The movie raises a thought-provoking question: What is lost when we replace the communal experience of watching films in a theater with the convenience of streaming them on our personal devices? Jeff and Virgil argue, convincingly, that watching movies at the drive-in is not just a nostalgic pastime, but an essential part of our cultural heritage that needs to be preserved for future generations.

Overall, At the Drive-In is a delightful movie that will leave you feeling inspired, entertained, and grateful for the small but mighty efforts of everyday heroes who stand up for what they believe in. The movie is a tribute to the power of human connection, the joy of watching movies, and the beauty of taking risks to fulfill your dreams. Whether you are a fan of drive-in movies or not, you will find something to love in this charming and uplifting documentary.

At the Drive-In is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 20 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.