Friday, October 7, 2011

Drive (2011)

Drive (2011)


Genre: Crime Drama
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Language: English
Duration: 100 min.
Rating: 8.7  

Summary:
A Hollywood stunt performer who moonlights as a wheelman discovers that a contract has been put on him after a heist gone wrong.



Drive is a film from Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn, based on a novel by James Sallis.  It premiered in competition at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival to a fifteen minute standing ovation where the jury also awarded Refn with the prize for Best Director. 

The film begins with a truly masterfully directed sequence.  A suspenseful, dramatic, and tension filled five minute long getaway drive where the camera never leaves the nameless driver's car.  Refn puts us in the passenger seat and keeps us there, right on the precipitous edge.  The scene plays out with no dialogue, the only voices we hear come from a police scanner and the play by play broadcast of a Clippers game on the radio.  As the Driver (Ryan Gosling) silently and coolly eludes the pursuit of LAPD helicopters and cruisers.

Ice cold, unlike his two panicked clients hunched down in the backseat, his heart-rate never rises above that of the constant slow pulsing electro soundtrack that accompanies the scene.  He seems to be in complete control with a backup alley, side street, or car park for every possible contingency.  It's an exhilarating exercise in style that not only provides a great introduction to the main character, but also paints the overall tone and setting of the film; an alternate universe where the 80's never ended, a modern day Vice City.


Gosling is outstanding and exudes coolness, a quiet antihero who is very good at what he does, vaguely reminding us of some other iconic men-with-no-name.  The supporting cast is also impressive, Bryan Cranston is marvelous as Shannon, the mentor and small time has-been with a bum leg who lives vicariously through 'the kid'.  The adorable Carey Mulligan looks more than ever like she really just needs a hug, but she perfectly conveys a simultaneous longing and apprehension towards her mysterious neighbor in a few tension filled shared glances.  Effective, even if their sparks don't fly, and I'm not so sure they are even supposed to, to me their relationship is more about him trying to save the little boy from possibly his own fate.

Another standout is Albert Brooks who is chilling as Bernie, the ruthless crime boss with a thing for fancy knives.  Ron Perlman also impresses as Nino, Bernie's partner and the catalyst for all of the fateful events in the film.  Even Christina Hendricks does a fine job in a small but crucial part that required a carefully delivered and convincing performance.


It should be noted though that while all of these characters are well acted, they and in fact the story itself are essentially hollow shells.  Drive exists strictly on the level of a simple fable, fairy tale, or like most other formulaic Hollywood productions.  In this case the lack of depth is not entirely a bad thing.  It succeeds primarily because of the glorious style in which it is presented.  Refn's brilliant direction, Newton Thomas Sigel stunning cinematography, Cliff Martinez' amazing score, and the perfectly matched retro soundtrack (Exhibit A: College feat. Electric Youth - A Real Hero), all combine to make the sprawling blight that is Los Angeles appear like an ultra cool place.  A difficult feat that only Michael Mann and maybe William Friedkin have managed to do before.

Secondly, it works because the film stays focused and concise instead of leaning on pointless effects and distractions, never trying to do or show more than it should.  The action is restrained and not used as a sideshow or fireworks display; and the violence although extreme, only occurs when necessary.  The highlight is one unforgettable scene in an elevator inspired in part by Gaspar Noé's Irréversible, an absolutely breathtaking display of filmmaking that will go down as an instant classic.

Drive is an expertly crafted film, and even if it has all been done before, it is still an intelligent cinematic thrill ride that bridges the gap between art-house and multiplex, and without a doubt the best time I've had at the latter this year.  I cross my fingers and hope the attention this receives will open the door to more auteur-oriented productions destined for the mainstream. 

Bonjour Tristesse







32 comments:

FilmMasterT said...

This is one for the 'to see' list. Excellent review!

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I guess I'm not so jealous anymore that you guys get all the French films that I have to wait a year for.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I've got no problem with elevators however I've been avoiding the single mom next door.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I can see your point of view but I think its the slow and quiet scenes which make the action when it comes much more effective. 

Bonjour Tristesse said...

That's exactly what this is.  I hope it's the start of a new trend.

Michaël Parent said...

I should catch this one soon since it will be on many greatest lists films of 2011... But like Virginie I can only catch it in French... Damn Law 101!

Dan O'Neill said...

I feel a little bit guilty saying that Drive needed more driving. When
the action comes it is tense and artfully done without shying away from
the extreme violence, but that all starts to go away as soon as the
characters start talking, or sighing and looking at each other. Nice
review. 

Jason said...

Great review! A European film in American skin. I loved Drive. Everything works brilliantly in the film.

Chris said...

While I didn't care for the violence, Drive sure has that stay-with-you quality. My experience was the movie is good, the soundtrack is great

Bonjour Tristesse said...

it works the other way too, you often get to see films especially the European ones, months before I do. 

Bonjour Tristesse said...

The thing with Gosling is he doesn't look remotely like a bad ass, and I think it works because his character is like a superhero hiding beneath a meek normal appearance.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

I'm certain you will love this one.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah I'm definitely going to watch this again soon.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah go see it!  Also the soundtrack would make a great post on your blog.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yep the most fun I've had at the multiplex all year.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Thanks Martin.  I think you are on to something there.

Bonjour Tristesse said...

Yeah I've yet to read a review that completely hates this movie. 

Hoi-Ming Ng said...

Done. This one's gonna be watched. That was an excellent open.

Steven Flores said...

Wow... there's a lot of love for this film.  I think we bloggers should form our own critics list and just give this film some award if they don't pick "The Tree of Life".

NeverTooEarlyMP said...

Really glad that you liked this film too. I've been using the stairs and avoiding the elevators ever since!

NeverTooEarlyMP said...

HAHA! I never thought of it that way. 

Sam Fragoso said...

I agree. A great, great film.

Mette said...

I just found out that this film won't be released in Germany until January 2012... Sigh...

FrontRoomCinema said...

I am very glad you liked this one BT :-)

Martin Naylor said...

Great review BT, I think it may well end up being my pick of the year, I do feel it has some substance though, although not explicit, like the best genre fare it leaves it with what you bring to it.

The Angry Lurker said...

I've heard nothing but good things about this, looking forward to seeing it.

Stevee said...

If only this wasn't an R18, I wouldn't have to wait another six months or so to see it :/ I really wanna see it. There are too many positive reviews like this around!

d_4 said...

Well, damn, I didn't really expect you to like it this much. I pretty much 'have' to see  it now, between you and all the other people that tell me it's awesome there isn't much of a choice.

Virgnie's Cinema said...

I SO want to see this movie! I was reluctant to go because in my city is only plays dubbed in French (worst.thing.ever) but I think after reading this I'll have to see it anyways!!
















Virginie

Moviemonstrosityblog said...

Thankfully we only have subtitles. I hate dubs! But i still have to see this film

CastorTroy said...

Glad you liked it. Story-wise, it actually quite generic but Refn's incredible directing infused the movie with a fantastic atmosphere. I highly recommend seeing it a second time as you will enjoy it even more!

Hermann Rorschach said...

I just got not handle Gosling.  Don't know why, but I feel like any actor with experience could have pulled this off...better?

A.Brooks was unexpectedly GREAT in this.

Post a Comment