Very beautiful but flawed movie

Rating: 8/10 (25 September 2011)

It seems many think of this movie as a fantastic piece of cinema, so instead of talking about the beautiful cinematography and interestingly done scenes, I will focus on why I felt that while it is very well done, it is "just" entertaining.
It is basically an average crime story with only very slight drama attached to it. The twist to it is obviously the personality of the main character and I suppose it is also unusual for a semi-big budget crime movie that much of the time is spent with calm scenes. But the personality of the main character is also what I simultaneously love and somewhat dislike about this movie. I love it because there are very, very few movies made about quiet guys who you still shouldn't mess with and who will do whatever it takes. But that is at the same time a big problem. For one, a criminal stunt man who is also a modest introvert? Not likely. Secondly, he somehow manages to be invited to Irene's apartment even though he is hardly talkative? Unlikely yet again. And even though he is very concise, much of the dialogue was too minimalistic too seem authentic in my opinion. And to finish it off... there is this theme song that seems to suggest that this story is unique because it is not about some unrealistic bad-ass but about an average guy who simply does what he must. But he is not. Irene's husband is the average guy who does what he must. A tiny fraction of men have the personality of the driver.
Because of this, the huge plot holes (not ONCE in my life have I ever complained about that but here they are so gaping that it bothered even me) in roughly the first third of the movie and the lack of criticism or depth (the drama seemed more a nice thing on the side than profound), "Drive" is in my view a very beautiful and entertaining movie that may have been more but is not. For people who wish to see more authentic Thrillers with heavy Drama aspects, I would recommend Cronenberg's latest ("A History of Violence" and "Eastern Promises") instead. But for those who have already seen them, I think "Drive" would still be a worthwhile watch as long as one doesn't have very high expectations.