Cast:Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks
Plot: A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a getaway driver has hit put out on his head after a heist goes wrong.
Stylish action films are always welcome. It's so rare that a film like 'Drive' comes along because its an action thriller that doesn't rely on explosions and gun fights to be entertaining; it is very unique. Judging from the plot synopsis it could have been any old action movie starring Jason Statham or Bruce Willis, but thankfully 'Drive' takes the genre in a completely new direction.
Ryan Gosling stars as a Clint Eastwood style "man with no name" simply known as Driver who lives and breathes cars; he works as a mechanic for, he does stunts for movies and at night he's a getaway driver for criminals. So far it sounds fairly typical and fairly Hollywood - and on the surface it is. But 2 minutes into 'Drive' you know it's not your typical movie, as the camera floats above Los Angeles with a strange electro song playing creating an eerie atmosphere not usually found in movies of this genre.
Clip from the opening chase.
Stylish is a word that springs to mind when thinking of 'Drive', this film film is just dripping in class - perhaps even to a fault. There are moments in slow mo with operatic music playing over that combine the action on screen with the beauty of the soundtrack majestically and creating something like which I have never seen before. This is what is most appealing about 'Drive'; it is uber cool and incredibly styled, but there is substance beneath the flash editing and camerawork.
The Driver begins a relationship with his neighbour Irene (a vulnerable Carey Mulligan) and this takes up the initial half hour and is somewhat slow, but vitally important in justifying the action that comes afterwards. This relationship leads to the heist that goes wrong when Driver decides to help out Irene's ex-con husband played by a Oscar Isaac in his first non-sleazy role. There's not a lot of dialogue in the scenes between Gosling and Mulligan so it's up to the actors to sell the relationship and they do for the most part, but it seems like a 'Twilight' film at times while they just stare at one another.
The film really kicks into gear midway through the second act, as the action vamps up Gosling really begins to shine. Without giving too much away let's just say he turns into the bad ass to rival all bad asses. The violence also really kicks up with some truly horrifying scenes that will have many viewers hiding behind their popcorn. This isn't violence for violence sake however, as it really fits into the style created by director Refn and isn't jarring in the sense that feels like it came from another movie.
'Drive' comes very very highly recommended. While it isn't completely original plot wise it is presented in a way you will likely have never seen before. The cast is superb with brilliant support from the likes of Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks as the big baddie, who really shows us what a great actor he can be. The cast is of course helped by the more than competent direction of Nicolas Winding Refn and the atmospheric soundtrack is something to be admired. The first act may be a tad slow for some, but the final acts can not disappoint because it is quite simply spectacular - anyone that says different can tell it to Driver.
The Driver begins a relationship with his neighbour Irene (a vulnerable Carey Mulligan) and this takes up the initial half hour and is somewhat slow, but vitally important in justifying the action that comes afterwards. This relationship leads to the heist that goes wrong when Driver decides to help out Irene's ex-con husband played by a Oscar Isaac in his first non-sleazy role. There's not a lot of dialogue in the scenes between Gosling and Mulligan so it's up to the actors to sell the relationship and they do for the most part, but it seems like a 'Twilight' film at times while they just stare at one another.
The film really kicks into gear midway through the second act, as the action vamps up Gosling really begins to shine. Without giving too much away let's just say he turns into the bad ass to rival all bad asses. The violence also really kicks up with some truly horrifying scenes that will have many viewers hiding behind their popcorn. This isn't violence for violence sake however, as it really fits into the style created by director Refn and isn't jarring in the sense that feels like it came from another movie.
'Drive' comes very very highly recommended. While it isn't completely original plot wise it is presented in a way you will likely have never seen before. The cast is superb with brilliant support from the likes of Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks as the big baddie, who really shows us what a great actor he can be. The cast is of course helped by the more than competent direction of Nicolas Winding Refn and the atmospheric soundtrack is something to be admired. The first act may be a tad slow for some, but the final acts can not disappoint because it is quite simply spectacular - anyone that says different can tell it to Driver.
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