The Substance of Style

Rating: 10/10 (2 February 2012)

I really like this movie. The perfectly drawn characters, the mythic story, the dead on performances, the artistic direction, it all works for me to deliver everything I want from a film.
Ryan Gosling's performance is incredible. The way he is able to project his emotions and hold back at the same time really sucks you in. You really want to know what's going on with this guy because you just know there is something important he isn't talking about.
Carey Mulligan delivers a similar powerfully quiet performance where you don't need dialog to tell you what she's thinking or feeling. You just get what's going on with these people because the performances are so real. And of course she's beautiful and vulnerable and you love her the moment she smiles at you.
The rest of the cast deliver solid performances and I thought Albert Brooks was excellent. Great casting.
This movie is, of course, highly stylized and so it's perfect if you understand that art isn't science. Watch it the first time just to drink it in. Watch it a second time as a class in acting school and watch it a third time as a class in directing.
So go for a Drive. I definitely enjoyed the ride.