Sometimes Visceral, but overuse and misplaced Music problematic

Rating: 6/10 (29 November 2011)

In what felt like a mix of Risky Business-esque Soundtrack meets Goodfellas-type violence, the movie "Drive" was a bit of a disappointment. The movie amps up the graphic violence and blood to grotesque and gratuitous degree. The effect is jolting and disgusting. And while the soundtrack is often good, some of the picks and the frequency of music-video cuts is way too indulged in by director Nicholas Winding Refn. As I've written before in other reviews, Music is very important in movies, and so is the right type and usage. It's a very personal choice and reaction for each viewer. For me, Some movies succeed without it, but I think the best movies also include novel and enhancing music in the right way. "Risky Business" has sensational music fitting it's content. "Drive" has about I'd guess almost a third to half it's runtime with some music track running. The moody synthesizer and electronic blues are good mixes but not the other cut female vocals. They are whiny and distracting. The dialog of the movie is sparse throughout although the gangsters motor-on with requisite obscenities. The director, tiringly frames Gosling as almost a fashion model constantly changing angles and overusing facial close-ups. What is to like though is a lot of the driving shots and chase scenes. They are very well shot and edited. Pan-in and night shots are beautiful Still this movie is a mild disappointment and a mixed rating for me, moody and visceral at times, but over-indulgent with it's soundtrack at others.