Drive proves that the best films tell a story through pictures, not words.

Rating: 8/10 (29 September 2011)

Drive navigates a slippery road with skill and precision. Drift too far right and it falls into a pit of predictability and clichés. Veer too far left, it crashes while attempting to pierce the impenetrable wall created by audience expectation of the Hollywood formula which they've grown so comfortable with.
Director Nicolas Winding Refn asks for a great deal of faith from Ryan Gosling in Drive's slow-burn approach. There's little surprise that he gets it, as Gosling was able to hand-pick his director when he signed to play the part of Drive's unnamed wheelman. Refn and Gosling are able to do more with looks, gestures and body language than any film in recent memory. Drive proves that the best films tell a story through pictures, not words. Even completely still scenes with no movement whatsoever pack a punch.
Gosling's character is a getaway driver by night, and has two jobs by day; every minute of his life is spent behind a wheel or under a hood. As fate would have it, he meets Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son, Benicio, who need his help. He seemingly tries to resist becoming involved. Ultimately he is too kind to ignore them. Don't mistake the driver's kindness for weakness, he has a very Jekyll and Hyde personality -don't worry, he reserves his bad side for only the most despicable characters. To some, the relationship may seem awkward, as calling Gosling's character the strong silent type would be a vast understatement, but it works fantastically well. Another man (Oscar Isaac) enters the picture and what transpires between the two defies all movie logic, but perhaps is not entirely unbelievable in the real world. The action, drama and comedy switch gears like a well-oiled machine. Refn keeps the action sleek and stealth rather than loud and roaring through the streets. Drive features Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman and Albert Brooks in terrific mob performances. Expect Drive to have an instant cult following and get Ryan Gosling some major roles. I expect to hear from Drive around Academy Award season.