Gosling is the man with no vocabulary!

Rating: 9/10 (20 September 2011)

'DRIVE': Four and a Half Stars (Out of Five)
Art house indie action film from director Nicolas Winding Refn (a man well known in the genre for films like 'BRONSON', 'PUSHER' and 'VALHALLA RISING'). It was written by Hossein Amini and adapted from the book of the same name by James Sallis. The book was a popular property in Hollywood and went through multiple filmmaker's and producer's hands before successfully going into production. It was star Ryan Gosling that picked Refn to direct the film because he was a fan of his earlier work and thought he'd be a good fit. The result is what many call a masterpiece and a joyous example of cinematic style and art. It's rare that an action film like this receives such high praise from critics (making it one of the most critically acclaimed films of the year) and because of it's bold character and individuality it has received the opposite approval from the viewing public, with many showing a strong dislike to the film (obviously they were expecting a different movie). I don't always do so but this time I definitely agree with the critics. The film is a wonderful example of stylish action done right.
Gosling plays an unnamed mechanic who also does part time work stunt driving for major motion pictures as well as getaway driving for crooks. In his illegal ventures he always remains unknown to his business partners and only allows them five minutes to do their business before he abandons them. He's an expert at everything he does and always remains cold and calculated. He also remains distant and aloof to everyone he meets (never saying more than a couple words to anyone) except his employer at the car shop where he works Shannon (Bryan Cranston), who's also his closest friend. That all changes when he starts to get to know (and develop feelings for) a young mother, named Irene (Carey Mulligan), in the apartment complex where he lives. When her husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) returns home from prison and puts his wife and son in jeopardy the 'driver' steps in and offers to help him out. When the job he assists him on goes bad 'driver' soon finds himself in a s--- load of trouble with some local mobsters (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman) and things turn bloody really fast.
The film is visually stunning and almost always pleasing to the senses in almost every way. The soundtrack and score add the perfect touch to an already extremely visceral film going experience. The violence is stunning and overly graphic but in my opinion not too distracting or unsettling; it all fits well in the context of the film. The screenplay is cleverly written and the directing of course top notch. The film is very reminiscent of classic 'grindhouse' as well as classic Hollywood 'film noir'. Gosling is decent in the lead but it's not his best work in my opinion. I'm a fan of his and know he can do much better. Here he plays the silent 'I'm too cool to acknowledge you' type that he's somewhat been type casted as in a number of films. The character is supposed to be a 'man with no name' Clint Eastwood type but to me it just came off as Gosling doing Gosling. He speaks very little in the entire film so we never really get to know his 'driver' character and the romance between he and Mulligan feels a little forced and unbelievable as a result of it as well. The routine character he does is fitting to the film though and makes for a good Hollywood tough guy even so. The rest of the cast is more than adequate in their parts and makes up a variety of distinct and unique characters. The film as a whole is a stunning piece of thrilling cinema and packed with memorable visuals. Classic action film making at it's best!
Watch our review show 'MOVIE TALK' at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pEuD61SPG4