The Driven Man

The Driven Man takes viewers on a playful stroll through London as Rowan Atkinson himself surveys his own car fixation with a wry, observant eye. Rather than a straight narrative, the film unfolds as a collection of loosely connected sketches in which Atkinson travels the city in search of answers, sharing conversations with taxi drivers, police officers, used car lot dealers, and therapists. He treats the streets as a series of quirky laboratories where humor and confession collide, turning everyday traffic into an occasion for self reflection about desire, masculinity, and the social rituals around speed and machines. Directed by Mark Chapman from material written by Atkinson, the film blends fascination with comedy to sketch a portrait of car culture.

Released in 1990, The Driven Man was directed by Mark Chapman with Rowan Atkinson credited as writer and creator. The documentary uses Atkinson's own sketches and observations to probe his car obsession within a performative city tour, blending humor with candid street interviews and self aided reflection.

Box office data for The Driven Man is not widely published, reflecting its niche status and limited theatrical reach. There are no widely reported worldwide gross figures, and it tends to be discussed primarily in catalogues of Atkinson's early work.

Unlike some of Atkinsons other work, The Driven Man did not rack up major award nominations. Contemporary trade sources largely overlook it in awards circles, and it is rarely cited outside collectors' circles, discussed as a curiosity within his broader career rather than a prize contender in the public press.

Critically the film has been seen as a playful, lightly probing look at obsession and identity. It dwells on how modern life frames desire for machines and speed, using Atkinson's wit to turn a city drive into social observation and personal coda. The improv sensibility of the performer shapes the overall tone.