Drive (2011)
Restricted to persons 18 Years and over.
Graphic violence & offensive language
| Director: | Nicolas Winding Refn |
| Actors: | Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks, Ron Perlman |
Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Though a loner by nature, the Driver can't help falling in love with his beautiful neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan), a vulnerable young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac).After a heist intended to pay off Standard's protection money spins unpredictably out of control, the Driver finds himself driving defence for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). But when he realizes that the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash in his trunkthat they're coming straight for Irene and her son, the Driver is forced to shift gears and go on offense.
Runs like a dream
by Simon Miraudo, 26/10/2011 4:30:00 PM
The best word to describe Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive - based on James Sallis’ book of the same name - is ‘cool’. Perhaps it’s the only word necessary. But, I probably can’t get away with a one-word review, so allow me to expand on my feelings. Ryan Gosling, starring as an LA stunt-man and freelance getaway driver, is really, really cool. When he falls in love with an ex-con’s wife (Carey Mulligan), he lowers his normally very-high standards, and agrees to assist her hubby (Oscar Isaac) in a heist that will help pay off the thugs who are threatening their family. But the heist goes wrong (as they oft do), and everyone’s life – including that of the driver’s mechanic (Bryan Cranston) and his mob-connected bosses (Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman) - ends up on the line. Refn’s direction is so...
The best word to describe Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive - based on James Sallis’ book of the same name - is ‘cool’. Perhaps it’s the only word necessary. But, I probably can’t get away with a one-word review, so allow me to expand on my feelings.
Ryan Gosling, starring as an LA stunt-man and freelance getaway driver, is really, really cool. When he falls in love with an ex-con’s wife (Carey Mulligan), he lowers his normally very-high standards, and agrees to assist her hubby (Oscar Isaac) in a heist that will help pay off the thugs who are threatening their family. But the heist goes wrong (as they oft do), and everyone’s life – including that of the driver’s mechanic (Bryan Cranston) and his mob-connected bosses (Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman) - ends up on the line.
Refn’s direction is so stylish and slick and Hollywood chic, but never vapid. The persistent, pulsating, synth-pop soundtrack is electrifying. The cinematography is gorgeous, and so uniquely and strangely composed. For a film that pays tributes to film noirs of the 40s, gritty crime dramas of the 70s, and neon-lit action films of the 80s, Drive is surprisingly novel, featuring moments that are so unexpected, and in some cases, never before attempted.
Drive is an issue of Teen Beat magazine come to life, with hot pink lipstick smeared over the top, and with smatterings of some of the most extreme violence you’ve ever seen thrown in for good measure. Precisely paced, but with plenty of fantastic action set-pieces, Drive is too much fun. Seriously, it’s cool.
4.5/5
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Member Reviews (4)
4 Member
Reviews
Whitedove
says
This film is very theatrical, and arty. It hasn't got a great storyline, however the camera angles and the intensity of the film are what keeps you hooked. The main character is a tad confusing, with his lack of emotion and his subdued behaviour, however, the film is a good watch for those who prefer their movies to have a psychological feel to them.
Fox Fortune
says
Very cool, as Simon Miraudo said. The subduedness felt a bit hollow and uninspired in the beginning, but that might just be because the style was almost the opposite of what I was anticipating. I think it'll take another watch for me to make my mind up on that.
Either way, it's fantastic. There're some electrifying scenes in there; it's worth the watch for the cinematography and soundtrack alone. Terrific film.
me
says
nice watch.
Simon Miriaudo
says
Ryan gosling plays a skilled driver who exhibits Autistic like behaviour. He has learnt to hide his true self behind an expressionless face and a virtual wall of silence.
He follows strict obsessive law of existence that allows him to slide through society, doing his thing, unnoticed.
That’s cool.
Then he gets the hots for his neighbour Carey Mulligan and the wheels fall off big time.
Same thing happened in the movie “I am Legend” a scientist lives for years on his own following strict rules of existence, a woman turns up, eats the last of his bacon and two days later his brains are splattered all over his laboratory’s walls.
Cherchez la femme.
There are a couple of very cool memorable scenes in this movie but overall it is disappointing. It stirs no great emotion in the viewer unless you count the frustration you will feel at the characters illogical decisions.