One Of The Best Contemporary Films

Rating: 10/10 (9 October 2013)

I heard a lot about this film either being really great or boring as hell. After watching this, I definitely belong to the former camp. Drive is not an action film but rather it is a stylish executed drama that contains intense action. So if anybody who has been sucked in by the title, poster and trailer thinking that it's a thriller action film; change your perception of the film before going in because it may ruin your experience with this film.
Drive's screenplay was written by Hossein Amini and was based off the book by James Sallis. Amini's screenplay is not exactly the most unique piece of work in Hollywood at the moment but he was working with such a great story and a character that people can immediately love regardless of his personal qualities. I'll start with the film's plot; the plot definitely feels like a thriller and if it was written or directed by someone else then it would definitely feel generic and bland. The film has it's moments that stick with you and if watched enough become iconic. It's not the plot that makes me want to revisit this film but rather the portrait that is being shown of the protagonist. Straight from the start we feel detached with the character as he doesn't show much and is closed off with his emotions, until he meets Irene (Carey Mulligan). Immediately from the start, I have this attachment to this character as I want to be him. Ryan Gosling's character is so cool and the moments when he does show a side of him that we didn't see in the first half of the film, it doesn't push me away but rather make us admire him much more. A lot of the audience may be annoyed with this film as it takes it's time to show the main complication of the film as the first half of the film establishes the character and his relationship with Irene and his career, both night and day. I felt that this approach was very effective as it allowed me to care about his problems and his decisions later on the film.
The film was directed by Nicolas Winding Refn who has made notable films before Drive, Bronson and Pusher, but I have yet to see those films as this is my first experience of his work. This film definitely grabbed a hold on me from the minute it started and I give most of the credit to Refn's direction towards this film. Refn has definitely made an action film that was stylish and explored more of the characters and story rather than creating adrenaline fueled set pieces that are commonly found in mainstream action flicks. The film's action may not be as wow or extraordinary as The Transporter or the Fast & Furious series but instead Refn approaches it in a much more intimate level. Without Refn's vision, the film then loses it's unique and stylish touch.
The film's cinematography is handled by Newton Thomas Sigel who is more commonly known as the director of photography for Bryan Singer's films. Sigel definitely did fantastic work here with shots that look beautiful, in particular night scenes and the ending of the film, and shots that are patient and allows us to take in the image even if there is nothing much happening on screen. The beautiful moments of the film are the moments when the lighting are intimate or hyper-realistic, these moments are the parts that I adore most about the film's photography and makes me want to watch it again just for those scenes alone.
The film's musical component is very 80's driven, but the songs and the score are not from the era but rather taken major influences from it. The soundtrack of this film is the highlight and feels sweet and catchy. The songs that play throughout the film are definitely by indie bands or artists which fits with the film. The songs are synthesizer driven which I think is a great choice and adds on to the unique style that the film show off. Cliff Martinez does the score for this film, though his work doesn't outshine the soundtrack choices, it does follow the style of these songs and make it his own therefore it doesn't feel out of place when it comes on.
The film's cast is great even if their parts aren't large. Though the film has a size of a cast, the film doesn't shift it's focus from Gosling's character which is very center focused on him during the first half, exploring the relationship between him and Irene. The chemistry between Gosling and Mulligan was great as it didn't feel too dramatic and repetitive. When they first converse with each other and build upon that during the next few scenes, feel like a relationship that must be established. There was an elevator scene between the two which in my opinion is their best scene together. The supporting cast of Perlman, Brooks and Cranston was great. They brought their all to the roles, Brooks in particular, and their hard work paid off.
Drive has an excellent cast, shot beautifully, amazing synthetic driven score, and a story that was delivered with style and flourish; making this one of the best contemporary films I have ever seen. Cannot wait for me to watch it again.