Review of Drive (2011) by Adam F — 05 Oct 2014

"Drive" is a very well shot, incredibly acted action thriller that also works as a quiet drama and character piece. It's the story of a guy (Ryan Gosling) that's so obsessed with driving that he is almost a robot. He works at a garage during the day and does side jobs doing car stunts for movies. He moonlights as a getaway driver with a specific set of rules. As long as you abide by them, you'll get away every time. His existence is basically meaningless until he meets an attractive neighbor (Carey Mulligan) and her son. When her boyfriend is released from jail, our protagonist is roped into a robbery that goes horribly wrong.

As the film begins, it's quiet and methodical, building up the characters and slowly setting up the story for the one event that will change everything. While the setup is happening, you'll get to see the quiet, subtle performance by Ryan Gosling and even though you never really get to know him very well, you do get attached to his character. His character grows and the chemistry between him and Carey Mulligan is so good you forget that there is a thriller/action element that is lurking just beneath the surface. When the film changes gears and goes into the darker route, it's incredibly violent and tense. There are scenes that are dead quiet and you'll be scared to see what comes next but your eyes will be glued to the screen. Throw in an excellent soundtrack, combined with excellent performances from everyone and a smart script and you have a quiet thriller that really builds to a satisfying end. If you find that "Drive" starts off a bit slow for your taste, stick with it and by the end, you'll have forgotten about any faults you found at first because you'll be on the edge of your seat. (Dvd, October 3, 2012).