Drive Review

Drive Review

September 29, 2012

A couple of months ago, Fan of the Month Sam asked for me to review Drive. One of my favourite films of 2011 despite only seeing it this year, it was every bit as enjoyable on the re-watch.

Despite the widespread hype Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive received last year, it still managed to escape me. Not shown near where I live (an action which prompted a critical email to the local multiplex), I waited with bated breath as I read raving review after raving review. Concerned that the much publicised level of graphic violence would be too much for me, or that it wouldn’t have lived up to my expectations; I reservedly watched Drive. I needn’t have been so cautious; Drive is every bit as spectacular as publicised.

Much like an old Clint Eastwood western, Drive’s main character is devoid of a name. Known only as the Driver (Ryan Gosling), a mysterious Hollywood stuntman, getaway driver and mechanic; he delves into the underworld deeper than before when he falls in love with neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan). When her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) returns home from prison, the Driver helps him out in a heist designed to clear his protection money debts to a local gangster; things go terribly wrong. Determined to protect Irene and her son Benicio from deadly criminals, the Driver retaliates to protect those he loves.

There really isn’t any need for hyperbole here. Drive is the best film of 2011, comfortably qualifying as one of my favourites. Gosling’s brooding presence as the Driver dominates every scene; the absence of backstory and general knowledge about his character is irrelevant. Winding Refn proves that it’s not necessary to know every detail about a character to achieve this level of depth. Lonely, fearless and charming; Gosling is simply outstanding as the Driver. His cool, sexiness overflows to make the entire movie equally as sexy.

Gosling isn’t just the best thing about Drive; the rest of the cast are equally impressive. Carey Mulligan as Irene is characteristically sharp and sweet; Ron Pearlman as mobster Nino is brutal and Bryan Cranston as Shannon just made me realise what all the fuss is about. He’s far more than just Malcolm’s dad. Each emotive performance is only made better by Refn’s subtle direction. His depiction of Irene and Driver’s obvious love is electric, heartwarming and heartbreaking all at the same time.

Likened by some to a Quentin Tarantino film; Winding Refn’s Drive is nothing like it. Comparative only because of its violence (which is extreme even for a Tarantino flick), Drive is a far more intelligent movie. Affecting, beautiful and original; it is perfect. Winding Refn’s direction is only made more atmospheric by the wonderfully retro indie synth pop score that will be rattling around in your brain for days afterwards; as will the Driver.

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16 Responses so far.

alleyandthemovies says:

September 29, 2012 at 10:11 pm

This film’s style was off the charts. Just amazing. But the storyline…there wasn’t even really one. I would give this a 6: beautiful setting and a perfect mood, but the plot felt blah.

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sati says:

September 30, 2012 at 12:30 am

Great review! Really liked this movie a lot, though it’s somewhere near the end of my top 10 from last year. The music was spectacular though, you don’t hear such terrific, atmospheric soundtracks often anymore.

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Rob says:

September 30, 2012 at 10:29 am

Plot, acting, directing and score are all perfect. The atmosphere in this film is brilliant, one of the few films I was on the edge of my seat throughout. Enough said.

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- Amy says:
  
  September 30, 2012 at 2:41 pm
  
  Enough said indeed, Rob! Just brilliant!
  
  Reply
TSC says:

September 30, 2012 at 2:52 pm

Nice review! Got to say, I loved this. The directing here was spot on.

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 11:01 am
  
  Thank you glad you loved it too!
  
  Reply
Fernando Quintero says:

October 2, 2012 at 3:51 am

Great review, Amy. I didn’t like this one quite as you did. It was OK for me but I thought it went past “cool” and was just plain cold. And a bit lifeless, like it needed energy or something. I hated the villains and I never felt they were a threat. Mulligan, the cinematography and the music were the highlights, for me.

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 11:59 am
  
  Thanks Fernando! It’s a shame it lacked energy for you. Mulligan is always brilliant, I have a bit of a girl crush on her!
  
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Mark says:

October 2, 2012 at 4:29 pm

This was #4 on my TOP 10 for 2011:
http://fastfilmreviews.wordpress.com/my-top-10-movies-for-2011/
I loved it. Glad you did too!

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 12:00 pm
  
  Thanks for the comment, Mark! If I had seen it in 2011 it definitely would have made my top ten of last year. It was on very limited release over here unfortunately
  
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Courtney says:

October 5, 2012 at 5:59 pm

Great review. I honestly have no complaints with Drive. It was (by far) my favorite film of 2011. I like how you described Drive as a more intelligent movie (in comparison to a Tarentino film with comparable violence)…because I completely agree. This movie really should have gotten more praise.

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 12:01 pm
  
  Thanks Courtney glad you love it too!
  
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Shemoviegeek says:

October 6, 2012 at 4:10 pm

Excellent review Amy, can’t agree more. Drive and Hugo were my absolute favorite films of 2011. I even bought the soundtrack, the song “A Real Hero” by College is incredible, so as the rest of it. Ryan Gosling has become one of my favorite actors over time, he can do anything: from action, to comedy, to drama.

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 12:02 pm
  
  Thank you we have the soundtrack too, and have that song on repeat on a regular basis! It often gets trapped in my brain, not that I’m complaining. Gosling is brilliant, and incredibly easy on the eye. Even in the Lake House which I thought was terrible, he was still very watchable.
  
  Reply
Andina says:

October 9, 2012 at 12:08 am

Whoa perfect score! Such a great film indeed. And I also loved the music score, one of the best from 2011

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- Amy says:
  
  November 1, 2012 at 12:03 pm
  
  Thanks for the comment, Andina! Glad you liked it too
  
  Reply