Review: Drive

Drive

9/21/11

Carmike Cinema 10

Medium Mr. Pibb

Plenty of A/C

Every now and then a movie comes along that just shocks the crap out of you.  Drive will undoubtedly be that movie for pretty much anyone who sees it.  It wasn’t remotely what I expected.  I’d imagine it’s going to polarize people.  I can see how someone could hate it.  But I can definitely see how someone could love it.

For one thing, I know who Ryan Gossling is and have seen The Notebook (hated it) and Remember the Titans (loved it).  Haven’t seen Crazy, Stupid Love yet but everyone I know swears by it.  All that being said, I’m not a huge fan or anything, he wasn’t particularly a draw.  For another thing, I know who Carey Mulligan is but have never seen or paid attention to her in anything.  So add it all up and really there wasn’t a terrific amount of “hey I gotta see that” to this movie.  Albert Brooks playing it straight was intriguing.  Christina Hendricks is hot in a “not afraid of her curves redhead” sort of way.  Then you throw in the “Winner:  Best Director, Cannes Film Festival 2011” and you start to wonder. Trailer looked good.  Let’s give it a try. 

Boom…..literally.

I was blown away by this movie.  The way it was made, the way it was shot, the acting, the soundtrack.  Blown away. 

The story is easy enough:  Driver (you never find out his real name) is a loner who works as a stunt driver for movies during the day in L.A. and as a getaway driver for hire at night.  He offers no involvement in whatever anyone is up to, simply to drive them away from the crime.  He gives you a five minute window and then he’s gone, whether you are finished or not.  He also moonlights at the garage owned by his troubled father figure and friend Shannon played brilliantly by Bryan Cranston.  He befriends the woman next door and her son who are living out their days until her husband gets out of prison, which he does, eventually hooking up with Driver on a job and causing all sorts of havoc. 

The soundtrack was crafted by Cliff Martinez who also did the music for Contagion which is out at the same time.  The synth vibe and songs included in the movie are part of what actually MAKE the movie what it is.  You know you’ve nailed it when that happens.  There’s a song on there by DJ College called “A Real Hero” that is hauntingly awesome. 

I will warn you:  the movie is really rough in places and has lots of blood and violence in spots.  It’s not for the weak of heart.  It has a very dark, sort of noir thriller feel to it that takes you back to another era.  This could have easily been a star vehicle for Steve McQueen.  Part of what make it so cool is the simplicity.  There are 20 minute or so periods of time where no one says a thing.  THAT is when you know you are dealing with awesome performances. 

Do yourself a favor and go see this.  You’re either going to love me or hate me for it. 

My review: 

3.5/4, A, See it in the theater