Avoiding an advertisement for this film was like trying to avoid the sun on my drive down to Queenstown and as summer starts to hit, trust me, my right arm is significantly more tanned than my left! It's everywhere and critics couldn't be more impressed with Drive, it's apparently THE film to see this year. However judging from the people I know who saw this well before I did, it seems to be dividing peoples opinion. Now I have seen it I can definitely see why there is a great rift between critics and some audiences. Drive is a slick and stylish film with a great sense of minimalist but brutal action coupled with an intense and focused central character. It's a real slow boiler, the action is spread widely throughout the plot, the introduction being the crowning jewel, I have never seen a more intense and slickly edited car pursuit. Following the intro is a focused character building plot that see's Ryan Gosling exact tension and style with his almost mute performance as the driver. With no name, a focused attitude, a signature jacket and a style that echoes Clint Eastwood or Steve McQueen you can't help but become drawn into Ryan Goslings performance. He is the quintessential lone hero and even with the supporting cast putting in great performances of their own (especially Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks as the mob bosses not to be fucked with) this is Goslings film.
Drive looks modern because of its cast and the quality of the picture and score, yet the style has a real dirty 80's feel about it. Our central characters style sets this tone with the tooth pick in mouth and quilted white jacket, the opening credits have a Sixteen Candles look to them and the soundtrack is full of synth pop. The film earns its 18 cert thanks to the brutal and visceral violence that boils up towards the latter half of the plot with brutal murders following one another as the walls close in on the driver. I applaud the collisions of style and brutality, it's almost like something out of GTA: Vice City only not so camp and OTT.
Many people believed there weren't enough car chases, in fact there are only two major set pieces, but to add more would seriously be an insult to peoples intelligence. We understand what he does, the first scenes ticks all those boxes, and the plot never warrants for another until it's necessary. It would be unrealistic to have any of the mob bosses chase him down in a car (a route your average popcorn movie would take). Needless to say I am on the side of the critics with this one. Drive is a terrific film with a focused and powerful central narrative and character. It's a rare breed of film that creates an iconic character and no matter how you feel towards it, will have you talking about it afterwards.
★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
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