Drive – Movie Review

Starring: Ryan Gossling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranstong, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman

Rated: R

A Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a wheelman gets a contract put on him and his neighbor when a heist goes bad.

From the opening credits and music anyone who has not seen a film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson) will soon realize that this is not a director who plays it safe, but a director with his own unique view point and one who isn’t above laying his signature all over a film. Gosling stars as Driver a man who is a cerebral assassin behind the wheel of a car. From the opening heist we learn that Driver isn’t just a guy that can steer a car but one who has the wherewithal and sharp instincts that just can’t be taught. Goslings Driver might keep to himself, but he is also one that can handle his business when needed, and handle his business he does. From the onset you know Driver is not to be trifled with, this isn’t so much as said through dialog but through his look and demeanor. For one, Gosling rocks a toothpick and absolutely pulls it off, to add more swagger to the mix he sports a satin jacket with a scorpion on the back and wears driving gloves. (Making this combination look good is a testament to Gosling stepping up his game, this is definitely not the notebook.)

Driver quickly becomes protective of his neighbor Irene (Carrey Mulligan) Mulligan initially starts off seeming out of place with her look of perpetual sadness, it’s as if someone has reached into her soul and stolen every ounce of joy out of her. Once her husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac) comes back into the picture her demeanor finally fits her character. Soon Driver is doing a job to get Standard out of a prison debt, when the job goes bad; Its Driver who’s life is now on the line.

The pacing is slow and deliberate giving the audience time to invest in the characters, once the job goes bad the entire tone changes and that’s when Drive goes from being really good to great. There are scenes of unexpected violence that are a sight to behold. Watching Gossling lose it in the Elevator is guttural and powerful, while his silhouette in the stuntman mask cuts through the night with a silent menace reminiscent of the original Halloween. In Addition to Gosling, Cranston shows that he is a rare talent as Shanon the hard on his luck mentor to driver (Thankfully Breaking Bad has gotten him the recognition he deserves). To my delight Albert Brooks as Bernie Rose is typically good, Brooks is another guy with underrated talent who possesses an amazing range, everyone knows he can do comedy in his sleep few know he can stab a guy in the eye with a fork with just as much ease. You know it’s only a matter of time for Driver to get some payback and when he does it’s a site to behold.

Drive delivers the goods with a visual style and visceral feel all its own. Easily, one of the best and most original films of the year.

Grade- 94