Drive

Dir Nicolas Winding Refn

Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks.

Plot

A young man (Gosling) works as a stunt driver, as well as for a mechanic Shannon (Cranston). He also moonlights as a getaway driver for goons. He befriends a new neighbour, Irene (Mulligan) and her son – as their husband/father Standard (Isaac) is currently in prison. Upon Standard’s return, he asks the man to help him with a robbery – to pay back those he owes.

Direction

Gosling’s chosen director Refn does a sensational job here, with great use of techniques and camera usage. There is brilliant use of camera angles, especially since a great deal of moments occur in tight spaces of cars. There was also clever uses of reflections at times, as well as lighting in the almost constant darkness. The opening 10 minute car chase sequence is also one of the greatest escape ‘escapades’ I have watched in a while.

Cast/Characters

The cast is fairly full, and in a 90m movie, some of them at times feel a little underused, primarily Isaac and Hendricks. Gosling is astonishing as the almost apathetic unnamed anti-hero, whose humanity is almost restored with his relationship with Irene and her son Benicio. The usual comedic Brooks is quite frightening as the mobster Bernie – who has most of his scenes with then Breaking Bad and Sons of Anarchy stars Cranston and Perlman.

Screenplay/Setting

The city of LA is the primary backdrop, and almost acts as another character as The Driver drives through the many roads and streets. The opening line of the film alone mentions the ‘hundred thousand’ streets in the city.

The Driver is also a very reserved character and speaks very little throughout proceedings, this adds to the strength of the films screenplay.

Score/Soundtrack

I loved the techy beat to the score and instantly recognised the work of Cliff Martinez. It had similar tones that he used in movies like Contagion. There is also a fun soundtrack that plays sporadically throughout

Overall

I really enjoyed this, and thought it was a very well made film. I just wished it was longer, but as they say, less is more.

4.5/5