Gosling's profile is not a plot device

Rating: 1/10 (27 February 2012)

Most U.S. movies have a montage at some point, usually about 75% of the way through. They typically function to fast forward the plot towards resolution and they allow directors to try their hands at the music video. They are a lazy tool; but they can be fun, if a director has earned the right to the montage by virtue of previous character development.
"Drive" has at least three montages, one less than twenty minutes into the film and they are all the same--expressionless Gosling in profile, various views from an automobile window, some helicopter shots of L.A. They are moody, twee and powerless.
This movie was a torment to watch, with cast members dialing in their performances (Gosling most of all), punctuated with vicious, blood-spattering murders and the odd, tough guy-makes-a-threat scene.
The first five minutes promised something this movie did not deliver: interesting, atypical, strategic escape driving; if there'd been a few more scenes of that variety (creative, tense, interesting), I wouldn't have been groaning out loud so often.
This is derivative, sentimental in the lamest ways, badly scored, badly filmed and poorly acted. I want my two hours back.