Drive Movie Review
Moody and stylistic from the opening scene, director Nicolas Refn’s latest noir caper, Drive, is all about the atmosphere. Referred to simply as the driver, Ryan Gosling’s character has no name, no past, and no connections. Movie stuntman by day, getaway driver by night, his thoughts remain a secret, his stoic demeanor a mystery for the audience to solve. Get in. Get out. Get away, that’s the driver’s motto. No involvement, no attachment, and you’ll stay out of trouble.
While the movie begins with a suspenseful bank heist, the narrative drags a little until the driver meets Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio, the friendly neighbors down the hall of his apartment complex. Irene’s husband is conveniently locked up, and the driver steps in as a father figure for Benicio and potential love interest for Irene. The pseudo-family drives around the city together, taking in the sights and enjoying each other’s company. Everything seems perfect until Irene’s husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac), returns home from prison and gets pulled back into a life of crime.
The film races from zero to full throttle as the driver gets wrapped up in Standard’s criminal affairs. A dirty bank heist, shockingly graphic murders, and double-crossing gangsters ensue. Directed with extreme meticulousness and infused with an eighties-electronica soundtrack, Drive knows precisely when to wind up the tension or slow the pace down.
Gosling’s on point with his controlled performance as a darkly chivalrous avenger, the kind of guy who can watch cartoon’s with a kid but smash a gunman’s head to a pulp without a second thought. He’s backed up by a talented ensemble, featuring Rob Perlman and Albert Brooks as a couple of shifty mobsters and Bryan Cranston as Shannon, the optimistic mechanic. Carey Mulligan exudes a sweet innocence in her performance, worthy of the driver’s protection and dedication.
Moviegoers be warned: if forks to the eye or pipes through the throat induce nausea or vomiting, Drive is probably a bad choice for you. This gritty thriller is not for the faint of heart or a flick to bring the family to. While the plot may seem tedious at times, the shocking violence, hypnotic soundtrack, and gripping car chases will bring you right back to the edge of your seat.
Drive hit theatres September 16th.
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