A Pure Spectacle

Rating: 8/10 (17 September 2011)

"Drive" is visually astounding, emotionally powerful, and revealed with expert style. The dual plots converge in a mindful and deliberate form. Ryan Gosling and Carey Mulligan prove to be a admirable acting duo. The cast is so uniquely strong. Seriously, how is it that Bryan Cranston is now finally emerging as an actor in films? The same could be said for Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman. Perlman and Cranston, two of the top actors on two of TV's most critically acclaimed shows (Breaking Bad, and Sons of Anarchy), should be forces to be reckoned with in the coming years. Nicolas Refn is on to something here. His use of silence is downright brilliant. Sandwiching silent slow-motion shots in the middle of some of the most intense sections of the film gave "Drive" a cinematic beauty that is rarely exhibited. The music may seem out of place initially, but combined with Gosling's attire, and the Los Angeles night lights, the blissfully ripe female voices that penetrate each song will gradually grow on you. Some of the use of Los Angeles as a backdrop seemed to be reminiscent of "Collateral." A hot topic of the film is the painfully brutal violence, mostly at the hands of Brooks' character, Bernie. I'll admit, after a while I saw it as a little distasteful. For a moment, the violence started to take on a Tarantino type of feel that didn't match up with the rest of the film. The film is a spectacle nonetheless. The pawn shop scene is BEAUTIFUL. Gosling's and Mulligan's relationship is slow to blossom, with Refn putting purposeful dialogue and action into each shot. The mark of a great director. Watch out. Gosling and Cranston will be considered for Oscars. "Drive" will be nominated for Best Picture. Let's just hope films with similar originality and audacity will continue to be made.