Drive

Directed by: 

Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: 

Ryan Gosling
Carey Mulligan
Bryan Cranston
Christina Hendricks
Ron Perlman
Oscar Isaac
Albert Brooks

While Drive 2011 lacks the raw action of the original, all other aspects of this movie, from the cast, to the cars, to the neon lights, to the music, this remake surpasses the original with consumate grace. Instead of trying to replicate the original in every way, the movie builds on everything that made the original such a success, took it forward and adapted it for today’s audience. Surely all remakes should be designed to do just that? 

The noire-esque atmosphere, soul-piercing soundtrack and neon lighting remind those of us old enough to remember the 80’s that it wasn’t all that bad at the time, while those of us young enough to have experienced Rockstar’s hit game, GTA Vice City on the Playstation 2 have the rarely afforded opportunity to revel in such nostalgic atmosphere.

This performance from Gosling is a refreshing break from the norm in the young Canadian’s career. The Notebook and Crazy, Stupid, Love may come come from the genre of movie that Gosling is best known for (ie - awful) but in Drive the young Ontarian shows us a side that we can relate to – or at least one that we think we can. As an emotionally-accessible heart-throb in the majority of roles in his career, Gosling in this hit movie shows us the actor behind the designer stubble, in his best performance to date. Stoney-faced and monotoned throughout, this performance is not to be confused with the cardboard acting of Mr. TetraPak himself; Keanu Reeves. When he needs to kick ass in Drive, he does it in style. When life needs a one-liner, listen up because here it comes. When you are THE alpha-male you require your own theme music, tune in because he’s got that too! 

The “I want that guy” feeling in the pit of your girlfriend’s heart, that comes from Gosling’s more common roles, is replaced by the “I wanna BE that guy” feeling in your own. Drive takes Ryan Gosling’s career down a whole new street and it, for now, appears to be one-way.

The cars, the acting, the soundtrack, the atmosphere, the neon (oh the neon!) and the genuine suspension of disbelief make this a great movie.

Rating: UUUUU

TRAILER