Part Explotation, Part Art House, Part B Movie, A Complete Joy

Rating: 9/10 (31 December 2019)

I had the pleasure of watching Drive for the first time recently, and I have to say that it's one of the few films that I have seen in a while that I've connected with really deeply.
Nicolas Winding Refn serves up a masterstroke in film-craft. The way that he has envisioned the screenplay & transferred that to the screen underpins his skill as a director. His choice of cast (minus Gosling as it was Ryan Gosling that chose Refn to direct Drive) cinematographer & use of the film's soundtrack has helped shape Driver as a modern classic in my humble opinion.
One key element of of the film is the use of dialogue, or perhaps more so the lack of it. Ryan Gosling's Driver has very limited lines and yet communicates so much through his non verbal nuances. The tension between Gosling & Carey Mulligan's Irene is pure electric and draws you deeper into the film. Despite this lack of dialogue you find yourself emotionally invested in the relationship between the Driver & Irene.
An aspect of Gosling's Driver that I enjoyed was his line about the story of the frog and the scorpion. Much is made of the scorpion motif on Gosling's jacket throughout the film and all becomes clear with that one line.
Bryan Cranston's Shannon spends much of the film in pretty much one sided short monologue's with Ryan Gosling's character, all the while conveying a paternal warmth & kindness that draws you to the character.
Ron Perlman's nefarious & unpredictable Nino and Albert Brooks' equally grubby yet conflicted Bernie Rose are a joy to watch. It's a shame that both characters weren't given more screen time to develop as more could have been made of them.
Christina Hendricks' Blanche also delights in her cheap & sleazy character. I was surprised to read that Refn actually auditioned for the role as he was seeking to ground the part in reality.
Visually Drive is nothing short of gorgeous. Newton Thomas Sigel's cinematography is stunning, and combined with the film's score I found myself mesmerised & immersed throught the full hour & forty minutes.
Part explotation, part art house, part B movie, Drive is a cinematic gem that rejoices in the art of fim.