Today’s quick review: Drive. In Hollywood, a stunt driver (Ryan Gosling) leads a solitary life, working for Shannon (Bryan Cranston), an unlucky mechanic, by day and freelancing as a getaway driver by night. He finds new meaning in life when me meets Irene (Carey Mulligan), a young mother of one who lives next door. But when he takes a getaway job to help her, he gets swept up in a bloody series of accidents and betrayals.
Drive is a stylized crime drama about a laconic getaway driver and the mess he finds himself in. Drive features smart direction, strong dramatic performances, excellent chase sequences, and a masterful handling of tone. The whole package is wrapped up in a stellar electronic soundtrack that draws the viewer into every scene, imbuing the film with the mellow, focused sensation of driving alone at night.
Ryan Gosling delivers an unusual performance as the driver, a man of few words, subtle expressions, and powerful eye contact. His character is the glue that holds the movie together, a rare protagonist who says little yet conveys all he needs to. The solid supporting cast includes Bryan Cranston as Gosling’s employer, Carey Mulligan as his love interest, and Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman as a pair of dangerous loan sharks.
The plot of Drive is a slow boil. After an intense opening sequence, the movie settles into a long stretch of build-up. Just past the halfway point, the main plot kicks off and things turn violent in a hurry. The action is tense and brutal, the chase scenes are realistic yet innovative, and Ryan Gosling sets about his tasks with a grim determination not devoid of conscience.
Watch Drive when you are in the mood for an atmospheric crime film with weighty violence and stylish presentation. The engrossing soundtrack, the pointed camerawork, and Ryan Gosling’s intense performance are enough to make Drive a unique and very interesting watch. Skip it if you need a fuller plot or more exaggerated action, or if you dislike gore.
7.8 out of 10 on IMDB. I give it a 7.5 to 8.0 for atmosphere and style.