Review of Drive (2011) by Dave J — 15 Apr 2015

Tuesday, December 4, 2012.

(2011) Drive.

ACTION/ THRILLER.

'Plot less' film, centering on it's characters and it's situtations than on action set pieces, where at the opening has Gosling aiding a robbery by driving the getaway car. He appears to know what he's doing and where's he's going without anyone telling him where to go, and of course, he succeeds. The next scene is (to some) the most boring part (but eventually essential) out of the whole film where he goes straight to his apartment without saying a single word or to his neighbor, Irene(Carey Mulligin) who seems to notice her for the first time in a long time but it's the first 'moment' they had ever noticed one another. Because their isn't much happening, we the viewers wonder if a plot is ever going to unfold, and it never does, nor ever will. The driver(Gosling) eventually does meet her and it's only by chance, and that is when she's having car trouble and it is during then is when they strike up a relationship. And it's platonic since he's the type of guy who does what he does without complaining, such as when he's being asked whether or not he's being exploited working at a garage, or performing dangerous stunt driving signing a waiver- he seems to be happy with her and her son more than anyone else throughout the entire film out of everybody who's involved in his life. There's another situtation that's going to evolved in itself, and it's bad and it's something to do with some crooked businessman particularly Nino (Ron Pearlman) whose best friends with Hollywood producer Bernie (Albert Brooks). And all the main characters mentioned eventually collide with one another as soon as Irene's husband comes back after finishing his prison sentence. And of course immediately want to get involve with shady people. Whereas her husband hands the driver (Gosling) a story about owing "protection money" to some goons while being incarcerated. And in order to clear his debts up, he has to agree to do one more robbery, but because Gosling has already build a rapport with his wife and child, he reluctantly agrees to serve only as the driver for this particular store, and that is when all hell breaks loose which is unconventional, and not like any other action or heist film ever made since hardly any action set pieces are apparent.

(Stop reading for it may contain spoils).

My only disappointment is after the driver played by Gosling killed Nino whose one of two main bad guys, why the Gosling character phoned and spoke to the sleazy producer Bernie played by Albert Brooks when he's just as bad as him. Because of all the negative people in the drivers life, it makes the bond and affection he has toward Irene and her son much more special to him and will protect it no matter the costs and both of them do live toward the end but he never comes back to see her ever again as he drives away.

Possible influences "Sonatine" because of the quick-on-your face violence, Ringo Lams "Full Contact" because of the ending, 1942 "Cat People" because they're 1 or 2 implied violent scenes.

3 out of 4.