Review of Drive (2011) by Kevin W — 19 Dec 2014

The first film to leave me shaking with goosebumps, and those goosebumps are still there; every single time I hear that spell-binding soundtrack. It's easy to see where the mixed feelings on this film come from, courtesy of some terrible advertising and the dismantling of viewer expectations. But if you go into Drive ignoring the (on reflection) horrible trailer, and ignoring the misleading title, then by all accounts you should fall under its mesmerising spell. Lead by an excellent Ryan Gosling, (and supporting cast; with the always faultless Bryan Cranston in a nice side role) who although doesn't have much in the form of a script, tells you exactly what you need to know, when you need to know, purely by the frown spreading along his forehead, or the smile stretching across his face; Gosling gives all he needs to in this film. So, he doesn't talk much, does that take anything away from the stunning cinematography and deliberately mysterious story-telling? Certainly not. How could it? Where people go wrong with a film like Drive is separating expectations with reality, and taking a step back. Drive is a film that begs to be analysed, and in not doing so, you're doing it, and yourself, a huge disservice. I'm not telling you to go and see Drive right this instant, but...fuck it, yes, I am.

(This may be a slightly glorified summery, but in my mind Drive is perfect, at least, for me. It's also the film that turned me into a critical maniac. Drive made me think about films, how they were made, how they looked, how they sounded, right down to every little detail.).