There's much more beneath the surface

Rating: 10/10 (9 November 2019)

Drive is either a movie you love or you hate and that's 'cause it is so easy to miss the point of the movie if you're not really into it, but simply watching images flicker. Naturally I understand why people would try to put it under the category of action, but there's much more about this movie - I hate to give it to you, but this isn't also about races. Drive ranges from many topics from love to self-sacrifice, autruism and stoicism, and all that fueled with moderate, but potent, doses of action.
Our main character is the driver, a nameless guy with a seemingly lack of purpose for his life, and as you might've guessed he engages in underworld activities. One of the first things that is shown is that he's not a killer, he simply is a driver; this ambivalence is a very important for the character development, as it's also interesting since we easily tend to miss the point that our hero is actually a criminal. We'll simpatize with him anyways, not knowing anything about his past or his reasons - does he want to be rich or he's just doing it for the thrill?
When Irene, Carey Mulligan, comes into play a subtle but clear stir is caused in the main character. They soon get fond of each other as it's displayed that soon they're acting like family. But this wholesome prospect fades in no time when her husband, Standard Gabriel, goes out of prision. Not only Standard endangers his family, he also drags the protagonist in all the mess he got into. Being clearly in love with Irene, the Driver unleashes all his energy into trying to solve her husband's problems - "A lot of guys mess around with married women, but you're the only one I know who robs a joint just to pay back the husband. Crazy."
Nicolas Winding Refn direction is sharp, he won't abuse of graphic violence nor will he go for the Fast and Furious cliche. He gives you a character that had little to no purpose at all and builds him into a stoic and noble hero. There are a lot of scenes in this movie that make it brilliant in terms of direction, the first one being the elevator scene in which the main character releases all his fury into a moment of ultraviolence right after kissing the woman he loves. The Driver kills the henchman sent to kill his loved one, but whilst doing so he reveals to her his true nature - the shot closing in the scorpion in his jacket is one of the details that still phase me in this movie.
The film ends in a pretty stylish manner; and oddly satisfying. It does break the cliche of happily ever after as it ends with a stoic resolve of the Driver that would make Zeno proud. This movie is very entertaining, start to finish, but at the same time it might not be for everyone. It is a very balanced movie it plays very well with extremes, such as romance and action, without abusing any. Yet, some people might find it boring if all they're looking is for nonstop killing or sexy scenes or the fetishization of cars and violence (the ol' american way). This is surprisingly a movie that is very delicate while also bringing well executed thrill.