Drive (2011)

Drive (2011) – A mysterious Hollywood stuntman, mechanic and getaway driver lands himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbour.

I know what you’re thinking; Tyson and Drive AGAIN!! I know, I hear you. But you know what?? I don’t care. I’m re-editing my review, and posting it up again. It was maybe the second or third post I ever made, and never really got read by anyone. I am here today to rectify that. Forcing it upon you so to speak. And if any film deserves it, Drive does. So please, sit back and enjoy The Director’s Cut of my Drive review, with extra words and better images!

First things first, I know I have included a trailer, but I truly believe this film should be watched knowing as little about it as possible. That’s how I approached it (since my wife bought it knowing zero about it aside from it had Ryan Gosling in), and having since seen the trailer I’m glad I didn’t see it beforehand. But in the interest of my OCD and wanting all my reviews to have trailers embedded, it is there above for people to see. Don’t get me wrong, the trailer is absolutely brilliant but it does show various spoilers and scenes which would be best avoided in my opinion.

On to the review……….

The plot for Drive may sound like a hundred other films you have seen or heard of. Guy likes girl, girl has boyfriend, some criminals get involved etc. Yet the difference here is that the plot pretty much takes a back seat and this film becomes all about one thing: Ryan Gosling. He owns this role, and even though there are parts of the film where there is no talking it never gets boring. I’ve heard a few (and I mean a handful) of people say the film is too slow, not enough action, but they must have been watching a different film to the one I saw.

Yes, it isn’t a non-stop 90 minute foot to the floor action-fest, but it doesn’t mean there isn’t any action. At times the film went to some very dark places, and I was surprised how brutal it got, but it really set the tone for who this enigmatic character is, or at least how we should see him. He has no name, he is referred to only as Driver, and whilst at times he is sweet and caring in the way he looks after Carey Mulligan’s character and her son, he transforms in the action scenes and gives a glimpse that at some time in the past he was a man who picked up some serious fighting skills.

The supporting cast is small but by no means forgettable. Albert Brooks plays against type in an award-winning role as a criminal mastermind, aided by a hot-headed Ron Perlman. Cristina Hendricks from Mad Men has a small but pivotal role in a robbery scene. Carey Mulligan plays the sweet, kind troubled young mother who steals Drivers affections, and Bryan Cranston of Breaking Bad and Malcolm in the Middle fame plays Drivers boss. Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn who made the superb Pusher trilogy of films as well as Bronson, the film is also breathtaking to look at. We get a multitude of camera angles, car chases, fight scenes, night and day shots of the city, and lots of neon. And what a soundtrack! Kind of reminiscent of Grand Theft Auto – Vice City with its 80’s synth songs, nothing let this film down.

I cannot recommend this film highly enough. From the superb opening chase to the gut-wrenching finale, this film will get under your skin and stay there until you watch it again and again. A modern masterpiece, and I can’t wait to see Refn & Gosling team up again in Only God Forgives.

Posted by Tysoncarter182 on February 6, 2013

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