Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan star in this crime thriller about a movie stuntman who also works as a getaway driver for the mafia. Nominated for the Palme d'Or and winner of Best Director at Cannes 2011. From director Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson), adapted from the James Sallis novel.
When a planned heist goes wrong, Gosling's unnamed getaway driver is blamed. LA's most dangerous criminal (Albert Brooks) puts out a contract on his life and he goes on the run through the streets of Los Angeles, while protecting his love interest (Mulligan) and her son.
About half-way through Drive, Bernie Rose, the mid-level LA mobster character played by Albert Brooks, is talking about his past as a producer of action movies in the ‘80s. “Some people described them as…‘European’…” he says. Both times I’ve seen Drive, this line elicited a mild murmur of recognition from the audience, as he is essentially describing the movie he is in.
On paper, Drive sounds pretty generic and at one point was destined to be a stock-standard action movie with Hugh Jackman in the lead role. Thankfully, Ryan Gosling and crazy Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (Bronson; Valhalla Rising) came on board and created a modern masterpiece of stylistic austerity and unfettered cool.
A neon and synth-laden ‘80s fever dream, Drive manages to hold back where similar films go over the top. The opening car chase is excruciatingly slow, creating a sustained air of uneasy tension that finds release in brief flashes of extreme violence.
Gosling commands the screen with the effortless cool of Newman or McQueen – he has very few lines, but his actions speak volumes. Refn infuses even the most minor characters with complex identities, with Brooks and Ron Pearlman both delivering scorching supporting performances. Only Carey Mulligan (An Education), as the love interest, seems a little bit out of place.
A firecracker up the backside of the bloated modern action movie, Drive shows just how emotive and poetic the genre can be.
By Dominic Corry, Flicks.co.nz
If you are after lots of action then get something else. The film never gets into high gear so if you feel that the first hour is slow then turn it off and go to bed because it doesn't get any better.
Best movie of 2011
not great
Judging by the other reviews this film is highly divisive - you'll either love it or hate it, and if you go in expecting a high-octane Jason-Statham-esque action flick, you'll probably fall into the latter camp. Drive is definitely an arthouse movie, and the performances by Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan are masterful. Both actors are able to speak volumes by their actions and expressions without relying on dialogue, something missing in most modern Hollywood flicks. The action sequences, when it happens, are riveting, and the graphic violence will make you squirm in your seat, but all adds to the atmosphere of the story. And the open-ish ending is perfect as well.
A thinking persons gangsta pic. Don't go expecting a big car chase and a shoot em up. Do go to see character development, a slow boiler and no honor among thieves.
It’s retro genre heaven.
Drive looks like one kind of movie in the ads, and it is that kind of movie. It is also a rebuke to most of the movies it looks like.
About as much shamelessly disreputable, stylish, ultra-violent fun you’re going to have at the movies this year.
A visually and aurally edgy Euro-influenced American genre movie...
It’s a fun, if not exhilarating, ride, one sped along with the help of a wonderfully assembled cast.
We've been told the NZ release date for this flick is Thursday, 3rd Nov 2011.
Release date: November 3rd 2011.
We haven't received times for this movie in this location yet. However these are updated as cinemas announce them, so check back soon. Hopefully the lovely cinemas in your location will choose to play it shortly. ~Ed.
