Drive (2011)
Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn
Starring Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan
A mysterious guy, played by Ryan Gosling, who drives getaway cars, racing cars and works in a garage, gets into some trouble while trying to help out a Neighbours husband.
I’m not too sure what I was expecting from this film. I already knew that I should not expect a Fast and the Furious rip off even though the trailer showed a lot of car footage. And that is exactly what I didn’t get. This film appears to tell a lovely story of a guy who is getting by in life by being a getaway driver and keeping himself to himself. Until he meet his neighbour Irene, played by Carey Mulligan, who he appears to have feelings for. The two characters hardly say anything to each other throughout the film and that is what makes it beautiful. In fact Goslings character isn’t much of a talker and only talks when necessary.
It is definitely a film of two halves. You have the nice, quiet and caring side of the Driver (Goslings name as given in the credits) and then there is a point where you see his dark side start to come out. The fact that we have had no real background on this character adds to the mystery of who he is and what he is capable of.
The cinematography and soundtrack is absolutely superb. It is a beautifully shot film with a lot of the camera angles being shot from a lower position which really draws you in to the film. The night time shooting is beautiful and really brings the LA scene to life. The whole film has a 80’s retro feel to it which is made by the music that accompanies the film and added to that are the opening and closing titles in the pink retro writing. You may want to be warned that there are some very graphic and violent scenes in this film but I think this helps with the mystery of Goslings character.
This is by far one of the best films I have seen, not just this year but that was released in 2011.Its stylish, cool, fantastic looking, has a wonderful soundtrack and I have no idea how the film has been missed off of all the main Oscar categories and only nominated for sound editing. I highly recommend this film. I loved the music so much I will be buying the soundtrack.
Film Fact
The Driver and Irene actually say very little to each other, primarily because Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan felt that their scenes should be more focused on the mood and refused to say many of the scripted lines. Mulligan summarized making the film as “staring longingly at Ryan Gosling for hours each day.”
thefriedgold 
Undoubtedly a good film, but something hasn’t sat well with me since I saw it: maybe it’s the horrendous, shocking violence or the lack of a happy ending (I’m getting mushy in my old age).
I also think I was “Gosliinged” out that week – Drive being the third Gosling film in a row, my memory seems to be mixing it with Blue Valentine…… unfortunately (see comment there).
I’m not writing it off though because I feel a second viewing will come good.