Drive (2011)
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 93%
I believe this is the third film with Ryan Gosling that I have reviewed. I don't know what that says really. Do I just really like Gosling or does he happen to pick great roles? Whatever the case may be, Gosling is fantastic as the stoic lead in 2011's Drive. When I saw this in the theater I immediately thought about how future film students should study it. Drive is a film maker's/lover's film.
Drive stars Ryan Gosling as an unnamed lead. He is referred to as "Kid" by his mentor and seemingly only friend, Shannon (Bryan Cranston). For the purpose of keeping everything in check, I will refer to him as Gosling. The film opens with Gosling explaining to an unknown person on a phonecall that when he starts his watch, he is their's. For five minutes, no matter what happens, he is their's. He is then seen driving through Los Angeles as the opening credits run. The backdrop of the city at night with the neon pink letter used for the credits give the film a Miami Vice feel. Gosling arrives at a garage where Shannon, the owner of the garage, is waiting. He tells him that he has an Impala, the most popular car in California, ready for him. He mentions some slight tweaks and comments on Gosling's fatigued appearance. Gosling then drives to a warehouse where he picks up to masked men that have just broken into and robbed the warehouse. He listens to a basketball game and a police scanner as he waits for the men to finish. As he leaves the area with the robbers his vehicle is immediately suspicious to the police that have spotted him leaving the scene. Through some inspired driving, Gosling is able to evade the police when he pulls into a parking garage just as the basketball game he has been listening to ends. He gets out of the car, puts on a hat, and walks into the crowd. The pacing and feel of the film shifts (pun intended) quite drastically after the opening scenes. Gosling is quite, reserved, and mild mannered. We learn he is a stunt driver for Hollywood films and Shannon builds the vehicles for the stunts. Tired of not making a big enough income, Shannon seeks the help of a local gangster, Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks), to bankroll a stock car that Gosling will drive for Shannon. Things do not quite go according to plan and people end up getting hurt. If you want more of a summary then you will just need to watch the film. What I am going to discuss is how the ultraviolence and Gosling's actions make Drive a comicbook/superhero movie.
Drive is a unique film. It changes gears dramatically throughout the duration so it makes it difficult to discuss the film as a whole. Gosling behaves much like Bruce Banner in most of the film. He is quiet, reserved, well mannered. However, when he is pushed to his limit, people get hurt. This clip is from later in the film but demonstrates perfectly how Drive can go from one film to another in no time at all.
This scene gives me chills every time I watch it. Gosling knows that the guy in the elevator is someone that means to bring harm to Irene and him. He seemingly stops time to turn around and give her a passionate kiss. A kiss that tells her that he is going to take care of them; that he is going to ensure that this man will not touch her. The lights dim as the music swells and for an instant they are the only two people on Earth. He then looks her in the eye, turns his attention to the man in the elevator, and proceeds to beat the living Hell out of him. Gosling's foot eventually goes through the head of the man indicating that he is most likely dead. When Gosling is threatened he completely Hulks out. Our first glimpse into this behavior is earlier as he is trying to enjoy a meal at a diner.
No BS
Drive is not a particularly easy film to watch. It is super violent and slow at times which will not appeal to some people. In fact, I took my girlfriend, her sister, and her husband to see it and they all hated it. I had seen it earlier with my mother and we both loved it. Drive is a movie I want everyone to see.
My Score: 9/10
Did you know that a woman sued the studio because she felt is was going to be more like "Fast and the Furious". She claimed false advertising. That simple fact made me go see it.
ReplyDeleteYou didn't mention the filming technique, which I know, to many, is boring. But this movie appears to revolve around how well it's filmed. The shots are lined up expertly and many sections could be frozen and painted and considered great works of art.
The film is pieced together beautifully. It has a very noir feel to it. I wanted to go into why I think it is a superhero movie but doing so would completely give away so much of the story. I had to reign myself in so people would be intrigued enough to want to see it.
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