Style and Power = Gosling

Rating: Null/10 (18 September 2011)

Going along for the ride will take the audience through some tense and stylish moments. The players are just stock characters one has seen before; yet two manage to stand out. Gosling's mysterious driver, a man who has apparently seen quite a bit and has developed nerves of steel, without sacrificing his soul. On the flip side is the ruthless head of a crime "family", a vicious man who executes a crime without second thoughts, tolerance, or respect for human life. All that matters to both of them is to achieve their respective goals.
The entire film appears to exist somewhere between Lynch's surreal universe and the Noir netherworld of the 40's; yet this one carries quite a punch because there is nothing subtle in it. People feel love, anger, betrayal, and a core of basic emotions. Much of the narrative is spent as we observe a character slowly considering his options, without allowing us much insight into who they are, where they come from, and where the ride might take us. The camera loves both the strength that propels both Brooks and Gosling as it register in their faces. There are no wasted words or moments here. Things start, brew, and eventually explode.
Much will be said about the violence in some scenes, as heads are literally turn into mush in many ways, and the witnesses to the incidents freeze in disbelief, and so do we. The film will leave an impression on you because of various particular pieces, particular the car chases and a couple of executions.
There is much to like here, but it also demands much from the audience, and if we give it our time, we will be rewarded, so go along and enjoy the drive.