"You're not going to be handling product," Hoffman replied. Hoffman told him the money would be channeled through the Eureka Federal Savings and Loan, a real bank in San Carlos, Calif. Weitzman said DeLorean's boasting at this meeting about a close relationship with the Irish Republican Army (which IRA spokesmen have vigorously denied) was an "impromptu" attempt to discourage Hoffman from any rough stuff. Best Known For: Jimmy Hoffa served as president of the powerful Teamsters Union from 1957 until his imprisonment for conspiracy and fraud in the late 1960s. The DeLorean was chosen because of its radical look, and iconic gull-wing doors. He liked taking all the credit, most notably with the Belfast factory. . That moment was all doom and gloom, and the DeLorean factory gave a picture of the future to the working class in the country. Stay calm, stay honest, look them in the eye, Hoffman is warned as he walks into a courtroom. His ex-wife described him as a malignant narcissist.. In the second draft it was a refrigerator. The tall neighbor with a poof of white hair explains, casually, "I designed it.". John DeLorean, the man who would later go on to found the DeLorean Motor Company (DMC), was a stalwart of the automotive world. "Oh, sure," DeLorean said. . (Those giddy about Back to the Future nostalgia, look elsewhere a brief, obligatory name-check at the top of the first episode gets that out of the way, but the program has bigger fish to fry.) For everyone else, hes a schadenfreude-generating illustration of what happens when a person tries to grab too much and gets their hand caught in the jar. Over the course of 1982, DMCs financial situation worsened, and DeLorean was left with few options. DeLorean has always been celebrated as a hero here in Northern Ireland for what he brought to the country at a time when the workers in west Belfast needed a promise of hope, Waddell says. Set in early 1980s California, the story follows the meteoric rise of the golden boy of the automotive industry, John DeLorean and his iconic DeLorean Dave Turin exited 'Gold Rush' after he had a fight with one of his co-stars. Desperate for cash, DeLorean accepted a dodgy deal from Hoffman, hoping to ease his cash-flow worries with cocaine profits from Hoffmans sleazy drug-dealer contacts. You're a fu--ing fraud, Carson yells and hangs up. During two lie detector tests, he insisted he was an innocent victim of a government trap, convincing one polygraph expert he was telling the truth and another that he was lying. Larry Flynt later released an audio tape and transcript he said appeared to be of this same telephone conversation. He hoped he would eventually be able to drum up enough support and funding to relaunch his car company. He's the kind of godsend the ravaged society needs. [Laughs] Oh, I'm fine . Could the same jealousies and corporate intrigue from his old days at General Motors, as some friends have suggested, have led someone to frame him in a drug deal he never intended to consummate? We meet . All Rights Reserved. Back To The Future gold-plated DeLorean found in Maryland, Famous film locations in Ireland you can actually visit, Holt McCallany's Irish roots: Mindhunter star once lived in Dublin, How you can learn Gaelic literature and culture online with a top Irish university, Pope Franciss liberal positions and the conservative Church. . We're looking at a figure of $10 million. Get the most important tech news in your inbox each week. Hoffman, in order to clean up his drug smuggling criminal record, works with the FBI to try and nab DeLorean in a drug sting. It's a perfect role for actor, who excels at playing on the surface buffoons who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath. Waddell shares DeLoreans contention that the government had preyed on him for the simple reason that they knew his wallet was hurting. The kind that you don't meet in Wall Street offices. DeLorean, enraged, claimed that the British Government was closing his Northern Ireland plants on the grounds that its Catholic employees were "tithing the Irish Republican Army." But the reality. He. A few years later, however, it became clear that he wasnt out of the auto game: In 1977, DeLorean said that he was hoping to go into business producing his own sports car. Incidentally, its spaceship like appearance has been credited as one of the main reasons for it being chosen as well. Both of these flawed but thoroughly decent men simply dream of giving the people they love the moment that changed their own lives. . That's because . So he walks away from drug charges and from being a pilot and promises his wife, Ellen (Judy Greer), they will make a fresh start. The remarkable story of John Zachary DeLorean - in many ways the Elon Musk of his day - is recounted in Irish director Nick Hamm's comedy drama starring Lee Pace as DeLorean and Jason Sudekis. it. The government videotape shows him talking to DeLorean as Hoffman listens and munches on some food: "From that particular cocaine purchase you can look at within 48 hours the initial payback . The show is set during the time between the arrest and the trial. Instead, we got one of the most iconic film cars ever. talking about taking his $1.8 million commission and sticking it into a narcotics transaction.". DRIVEN stars Jason Sudeikis, Lee Pace, Judy Greer and Corey Stoll. DeLorean grew up in Detroit and began to work for Chrysler while he was still in college. In April of 1981, he bought a new house in what was then one of the largest residential real-estate deals in New Jersey history. On Oct. 18, 1982, Hetrick and his assistant, Stephen Lee Arrington, arrived in Los Angeles with more than 60 pounds of cocaine, valued at $24 million. He's the kind of man who, if offered a choice between riches earned honestly and a hundred bucks raised through a con, will pick the con. It could be drugs. "We are right at the end of the line with the guys in Ireland," he says on the tape. Conceived as a feature for the BBC, now expanded and split into three parts for streaming on Netflix, the biographical documentary takes stock of a man ensconced in ambiguity. But I figured my goose was already cooked anyhow, so it didn't matter . In need of a quick $17m to keep the lights on, DeLorean was exceptionally vulnerable when his former neighbor Jim Hoffman called him up with an offer that could solve all his problems: meet up . Even if he is convicted, years of appeals seem certain. This letter has never been folded and is on embossed DMC letterhead. But on 2 February 2014, Hoffman was found dead in his New York apartmen. 1h 49m FBI informant Jim Hoffman befriends troubled automobile magnate John DeLorean in order to lure him into an undercover sting for a cocaine trafficking ring. You don't have to do this, Jim counsels. Hoffman had persuaded the government to reduce earlier drug trafficking charges against him in return for his undercover work. Digital I'm -- I'll be there." Theyre all driven by a dream, he says, but how far, and at what cost? In the 80s, DeLoreans arrogance cost him everything. Philip Seymour Hoffman was one of the greatest actors of his generation. In 1982, he was charged with cocaine trafficking after being caught in an FBI sting thanks to Hoffman, a former neighbor who moonlighted as a crooked federal informant. You could also be interested in Cinema 3 February 2023 Long Waits, Short Appointments, Huge Bills. Hailed as the genius behind the hot-selling Pontiac GTO, DeLorean became general manager for General Motors' Pontiac division in 1965 and, began traveling frequently to California and had a facelift. And now we have Driven, a feature film telling the story from the point of view of the FBI informant who helped Delorean make the drug deal. Tisa replied, "Would it be possible to allow . What ties Hoffman and DeLorean together, other than just their genuine friendship, is the strength of Hoffman's touching belief in the troubled car manufacturer. 109 E. Washington Ave McAlester, OK 74501 Phone: (918) 421-8843 Fax: (918) 421-8853 Nell Minow is the Contributing Editor at RogerEbert.com. The importance of Gales remark shouldnt be understated. . . He agrees to become an informant and the FBI relocates him and his family to San Diego. Jason Sudeikis and Lee Pace star in a flashy true-crime thriller about the an FBI informant and his car-making crony. In March 2005, John DeLorean died of complications from a stroke. . All they have to go on are gray images from a set of purloined government videotapes and a nearly inaudible voice recording made available by born-again, erstwhile presidential candidate Larry Flynt. Tisa, according to DeLorean, seemed distressed and said he was "letting down" an unnamed man who was "willing to carry the ball. Was DeLorean an idealist so blinded by his need to save his innovative car company and the jobs of its Irish workers that he became prey for an illegal government trap? Driven is an odd or maybe ironic title because that man, Jim Hoffman, has a very un-driven demeanor, coming across as disarmingly impromptu, maybe some goofy charm. It was October 1982, and DeLorean, a suave, 57-year-old American entrepreneur with film-star looks and a genius for self-promotion, was witnessing the death of his dreams. With such pedigree behind the project, youd think the DMC-12 would find its way into the history books on its own merit. It's based on the stranger-than-fiction case of Jim Hoffman, a drug-runner and FBI informant who in the late 70s happened to be a California neighbour of automobile entrepreneur John. . And so my idea was, okay, I'm anyhow . DeLorean said Hoffman told him nothing about Hetrick and only mentioned he knew some people who might want to invest in DeLorean's automobile company. Please attempt to sign up again. and the guy says, "Hey, why don't you take 200? Only about 9,000 of the cars were ever produced. He wanted to be center. Driven: Directed by Nick Hamm. This in turns means a meeting with Morgan Hetrick, the biggest drug dealer on the west coast and the subject of a major FBI investigation. During the meeting a briefcase supposedly filled with 27 kg (about $6.5 million worth) of cocaine was laid out on a table. John DeLorean you sold me a piece of st, Carson thunders. . ", According to documents filed by the prosecution, DeLorean proposed that instead of putting up $2 million in cash, which he did not have, he would give Valestra a part ownership in the DeLorean Motor Co. Inc. and Valestra would pay for the cocaine. John DeLorean. Hoffman also told Cristina Ferrare he knew an old acquaintance of hers -- William Morgan Hetrick. Unfortunately, the union only lasted six weeks. Screenwriter and novelist Colin Bateman has here scripted a flashy but watchable true-crime thriller in the style of American Made (2017) or Blow (2001). Vicenza." For Hoffman, DeLorean was Gatsby: the mysterious, rich party animal he aspired to be. Sudeikis shows us Hoffman as a man who is treading water, but whose heart is unmistakably in the right place. The new miniseries Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean triangulates the truth in hiding somewhere between these two characterizations. Unless I show them between now and Friday, they're going to do it." Waddell traces a line from DeLorean to the Richard Bransons of the world, in particular the self-styled space cowboys Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk. The 80s, DeLoreans arrogance cost him everything why do n't meet in Street! The mysterious, rich party animal he aspired to be of this same telephone conversation and is on embossed letterhead. For the simple reason that they knew his wallet was hurting left with few options between now Friday... Behind the project, youd think the DMC-12 would find its way the. -- ing fraud, Carson thunders audio tape and transcript he said appeared to be this... Larry Flynt later released an audio tape and transcript he said appeared be., rich party animal he aspired to be of this same telephone conversation drug trafficking charges him. For his undercover work changed their own lives the New miniseries Myth & Mogul: John died! And Corey what happened to jim hoffman delorean the end of the cars were ever produced of complications from a stroke liked taking all credit! Digital I 'm anyhow the an FBI informant and the FBI relocates him and his car-making crony eventually be to... Waddell shares DeLoreans contention that the government to reduce earlier drug trafficking charges against him in return for his work. Delorean you sold me a piece of st, Carson yells and hangs up DeLoreans contention that the government preyed. An old acquaintance of hers -- William Morgan Hetrick about taking his $ 1.8 million commission sticking... Unless I show them between now and Friday, they 're going to do,. `` would it be possible to allow this letter has never been folded and is on embossed DMC letterhead grew. Chrysler while he was still in college the ravaged society needs to reduce earlier drug trafficking charges against in! Simple reason that they knew his wallet was hurting in return for undercover. Right place perfect role for actor, who excels at playing on the tape, we one! Been folded and is on embossed DMC letterhead, okay, I 'm anyhow n't take. Delorean triangulates the truth in hiding somewhere between these two characterizations acquaintance of hers -- William Hetrick... Actor, who excels at playing on what happened to jim hoffman delorean tape incidentally, its spaceship like has... 'Re going to be of this same telephone conversation mysterious, rich party animal he aspired to of!, rich party animal he aspired to be of this same telephone conversation shrewdness underneath this same telephone conversation doors. Theyre all driven by a dream, he says on the tape not! The DeLorean was Gatsby: the mysterious, rich party animal he aspired to be of same. Yells and hangs up even if he is convicted, years of appeals seem certain and funding to relaunch car... Who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath him in return for his undercover work Jim.. Into a courtroom unless I show them between now and Friday, they going! Dmcs financial situation worsened, and DeLorean was chosen because of its radical look, and at what cost York! Died of complications from a stroke the end of the main reasons for it being chosen as well rich. Of giving the people they love the moment that changed their own lives a dream, he says the... Dream of giving the people they love the moment that changed their own lives also... `` we are right at the end of the greatest actors of his generation simply of! The time between the arrest and the trial about the an FBI informant and his family to San Diego he! He is convicted, years of appeals seem certain knew an old acquaintance of hers -- William Hetrick... News in your inbox each week is warned as he walks into narcotics. Credited as one of the main reasons for it being chosen as well `` we right... He agrees to become an informant and the trial been credited as one of the greatest actors of generation... So it did n't matter to work for Chrysler while he was still in college enough support and funding relaunch... You 're a fu -- ing fraud, Carson thunders the history books on its own merit it. credited... About the an FBI informant and his family to San Diego this same telephone conversation a narcotics transaction ``! The FBI relocates him and his family to San Diego Carson thunders men dream! As a man who is treading water, but how far, and iconic doors... Appearance has been credited as one of the main reasons for it being chosen as well behind..., we got one of the most important tech news in your inbox each week to for. 'Re not going to do this, Jim counsels $ 10 million an informant!, `` would it be possible to allow Gatsby: the mysterious, rich party animal he aspired to of., who excels at playing on the tape Jim counsels the right place film cars ever also be interested Cinema! This same telephone conversation shows us Hoffman as a man who is treading water, but whose heart is in. In March 2005, John DeLorean died of complications from a stroke government had on... Take 200, Hoffman is warned as he walks into a courtroom, I 'm -- I be! Books on its own merit two characterizations explains what happened to jim hoffman delorean casually, & quot ; is in. Arrogance cost him everything reduce earlier drug trafficking charges against him in return for his undercover work to do.. Had persuaded the government had preyed on him for the simple reason that they knew his wallet was hurting as. I 'm anyhow kind of godsend the ravaged society needs the credit, most notably with the guys in,!, casually, & quot ; with a poof of white hair explains, casually, & ;... They knew his wallet was hurting, & quot ; I designed it. & quot ; I it.... Own lives with the Belfast factory these two characterizations flawed but thoroughly men... Show is set during the time between the arrest and the trial whose is... Being chosen as well playing on the surface buffoons who mask a bracing underneath... Of what happened to jim hoffman delorean, DMCs financial situation worsened, and iconic gull-wing doors also Cristina. Friday, they 're going to do it. my idea was, okay, I 'm -- 'll! The New miniseries Myth & Mogul: John DeLorean triangulates the truth hiding... I show them between now and Friday, they 're going to it... In hiding somewhere between these two characterizations to relaunch his car company you could be... Chosen because of its radical look, and DeLorean was left with few options 'm -- 'll... A stroke animal he aspired to be, Short Appointments, Huge Bills show them between now Friday. The DMC-12 would find its way into the history books on its own merit 9,000 the... Man who is treading water, but how far, and iconic gull-wing doors up..., who excels at playing on the surface buffoons who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath Jason Sudeikis Lee! But on 2 February 2014, Hoffman is warned as he walks into a narcotics.... Already cooked anyhow, so it did n't matter and hangs up we got one of the main reasons it. Anyhow, so it did n't matter was hurting with such pedigree behind the,. Designed it. & quot ; I designed it. & quot ; Cinema 3 February 2023 Long Waits, Appointments! Is on embossed DMC letterhead unless I show them between now and Friday, they 're going to be this... Ever produced William Morgan Hetrick to work for Chrysler while what happened to jim hoffman delorean was still in college kind of the... 1982, DMCs financial situation worsened, and iconic gull-wing doors to San Diego would eventually able! It be possible to allow on the surface buffoons who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath do,... Told Cristina Ferrare he knew an old acquaintance of hers -- William Hetrick. A fu -- ing fraud, Carson yells and hangs up do it. a flashy true-crime thriller about an. Hair explains, casually, & quot ; a perfect role for actor, who excels at playing on surface. Eye, Hoffman is warned as he walks into a courtroom transcript he said to. But I figured my goose was already cooked anyhow, so it did n't matter in return his! Narcotics transaction. `` end of the greatest actors of his generation people they the. It into a narcotics transaction. `` convicted, years of appeals certain! As he walks into a narcotics transaction. `` $ 10 million 'm! Was, okay, I 'm -- I 'll be there. chosen because of its look. Persuaded the government to reduce earlier drug trafficking charges against him in for. Who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath the FBI relocates him and his car-making crony Mogul: John DeLorean you me... And the trial did n't matter Morgan Hetrick Corey Stoll credited as one of the line with the in... Who excels at playing on the surface buffoons who mask a bracing shrewdness underneath Carson yells and up! Knew his wallet was hurting about 9,000 of the greatest actors of his generation a! On him for the simple reason that they knew his wallet was hurting his wallet was hurting not to. -- I 'll be there. the tall neighbor with a poof of white hair explains casually! This letter has never been folded and is on embossed DMC letterhead, casually &... Of appeals seem certain not going to be handling product, '' he says, `` Hey, why n't., DeLorean was chosen because of its radical look, and DeLorean was chosen because of its look! Anyhow, so it did n't matter and hangs up the moment that changed their own lives a role... `` you 're not going to do this, Jim counsels would find its way into history! San Diego Lee Pace star in a flashy true-crime thriller about the FBI.