Another Take: Drive (2011)

By Paco McCullough

Nicolas Winding Refn has made some great movies (Bronson, the Pusher Trilogy) and some mediocre to bad films (Valhalla Rising, anyone?). However, before Drive, Refn had never created an out and out masterpiece. This is his best film, one of the best films I've seen in recent memory, and certainly the best thing playing at your theater right now.

Ryan Gosling plays The Driver, a nameless Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. The Driver is an incredibly quiet man, rarely speaking, even when spoken to. Other than his boss Shannon (Bryan Cranston), he leads a solitary life. Shannon has a fragile relationship with gangsters played by Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks, but they are all working together to have Gosling drive a racecar for them. Meanwhile, The Driver has started a relationship with the pretty woman (Carey Mulligan) down the hall. The only problem? Her husband, who is in prison, is set to come how soon.

The cast for this film is simply phenomenal. Gosling proves himself to be a capable actor, even without many lines. His expressive face carries this film. Mulligan is good in a role that doesn't give her that much to do. As always, Bryan Cranston steals the show as the nicest criminal you'll ever meet.

Drive is also beautifully shot. It really feels like Refn put time into making every single frame as beautiful as possible, although I will concede that there are only so many ways to shoot the inside of a car.

The only real flaw with this film is the atrocious synth-based soundtrack. It's comprised entirely of ill fitting music that is like bad 80s pop, but without being cheesy enough to be fun.

Drive is a crime movie for adults. It never holds your hand, the action is never brainless. As a matter of fact, it should be noted again: Drive is not an action movie.  That said, it still takes you on a ride that will leave you breathless.

5 out of 5 stars