DRIVE (2011)
A slow burn to a bloody strong finale
By: John C. Lyons
Directed by:Nicolas Winding Refn
Written by: Hossein Amini (screenplay) James Sallis (book)
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman
Our Rating: 9/10
Without even realizing it I have spent the last year or so catching up on Danish film director Nicolas Winding Refn’s filmography. The first film I was drawn to was 2008′s Bronson starring Tom Hardy. It was unique and full of style, but I thought the overall result was lacking a little polish. I rented 2009′s Valhalla Rising because of actor Mads Mikkelson and later realized it was the same director. I found a lot to like in the brutal story of a blind, mute Viking warrior. I’m always watching the career paths of my favorite contemporary actors (like Mikkelson) and nearly everything Ryan Gosling signs onto is guaranteed quality, so once again Drive was on my radar before realizing it was yet another Nicolas Winding Refn film. The guy obviously chooses his projects and talent wisely. After Drive it’s safe to say I will be looking forward to his upcoming projects from now on.
Drive starts out as a perfect slow burn. It takes its time getting the viewer comfortable in Driver’s (Gosling) world. He’s a stuntman on film productions and works at a garage. He keeps to himself and rarely speaks. After a couple of chance encounters he begins to fall for a young mother (Mulligan) who lives in his building. Later learning that her husband is in jail. Oh yes, and he also moonlights as a getaway car driver for criminals. Things are going well in his life until the husband returns and asks him for a favor. It’s at this point where all hell breaks loose and the movie shifts gears. His professional and personal life entangle and Drive becomes a dark, brutal thriller. You subtly get the sense that this quiet stuntman has some things brewing under the surface and once you see him explode you never look at him the same way. Make no mistake, Drive pulls no punches on the violence once it gets warmed up.
Shot on the Arri Alexa digital camera, Drive looks amazing. The night-lit streets of Los Angeles have never looked better. Gosling is well-cast in the lead role. With very little dialog he pulls you and doesn’t let go even when he loses it. Mulligan has already shown what a great talent she is in films like Never Let Me Go and An Education and she matches up well with Gosling here. The supporters are solidly dark and twisted. This is a great film and one that I will definitely be adding to my personal collection. At this point it sits at the 2nd spot on my favorites list of the year. I just finished Refn’s first feature Pusher last night and look forward to catching up on the rest of his work in anticipation of Only God Forgives (again starring Ryan Gosling).
I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA. Click for showtimes.
Related links: Drive official site
MPAA rating: Rated R for strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity.
Length: 100 minutes
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