Brilliant and hypnotic

Rating: 9/10 (27 August 2014)

Nicolas Winding Refn has created a masterpiece, with the 2011 crime drama 'Drive'. Ryan Gosling is a mysterious, unnamed stranger (sound familiar?), who just drives. The plot is certainly, with moments of romance, excitement and horror. Just as 'Mulholland Drive', of which 'Drive' often reminded me, this is a film which touches on all emotions. What's more, the word film doesn't give enough credit to it; it is an experience and it certainly struck a chord with me.
If ever there was a movie where 'style over substance' was applicable, it's this one. Again reminiscing 'Mulholland Drive, 'Drive' has such an incredibly beautiful, hypnotic style, which just sucks you into the movie screen. It takes from all genres, and that makes it the more special. The synthpop soundtrack conveys a certain magic and dreaminess, which result in a unique cinematic experience. 'Drive' is a film that teaches you about film, but more importantly, about life, love and suffering. For all its violence and passion, it still doesn't give you a kick in the gut but leaves you enlightened, a feat which perhaps only 'Mulholland Drive' was able to do for me in modern cinema. David Lynch's film is one strange mix of reality and fantasy, but 'Drive' seems to operate on two separate levels, with the plot on one side and the atmosphere on the other. Perhaps, when we discuss the term 'story' 'Drive' is the perfect example.