The opening moments of Drive have been discussed to the bone by many others, so I will not join in that party. Needless to say, the opening sequence is a great induction to the Driver(Ryan Gosling). As I said before, this film is an excellent display of the non-Hollywood Narrative. Standard's (Oscar Isaac) arrival home from prison in a normal Hollywood film, would cause an extreme conflict between the Driver and Standard. However Nicolas strays from this and instead shows Irene's boyfriend thanking the Driver for watching his woman and child. He completely demolishes any conflict between the two men. Later in the film, they actually work together.
The first turning point is when a fellow con man coincidentally meets the Driver in a coffee shop. The con-man tries to illicit the Driver to another job. Needless to say the next moment is a haunting display. Up until this moment, the Driver has been a calm and collected individual, however he shows the audience that there is more behind the Driver then meets the eye.
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| "How about this, shut your mouth or I'll kick your teeth down your throat, and I'll shut it for you." |
The film's second and final car chase starts as a simple heist but like most heists in movies, it goes wrong. It is revealed that Standard owed a debt during his time in prison. Now that he was released he must repay the debt. In order to do this, the powers that be demand that Standard rob a pawn shop. After Standard declines and is brutally beat up, the Driver enlists himself to the cause. Little does the Driver know, this small act of kindness will turn his entire world upside down.
Director Nicolas Refn sets up a great amount of suspense during the heist. He wisely drops the audio levels to almost a mute for the entire sequence. This is to have a greater effect when Standard finally gets shot and killed. The audience doesn’t expect it and neither does the Driver. In a way, it makes the scene closer to real life. What takes place after is a nice car chase that demonstrates that car chases using real automobiles are still possible without CGI. However this is where the film shifts from being slow paced to a quick and adrenaline filled second half. At the beginning of the film, the Driver’s only purpose is to drive. He gives the people who hire him not a second more than five minutes. However by the end of the film you realize he gives Irene more than the five minutes he normally offers.
Drive's simple premise is only tolerable due a strong supporting cast. AMC star's Bryan Cranston and Christina Hendricks star in the film. Bryan plays the Driver's employer Shannon, and Christina takes a very small role as a woman involved in the film's heist scene. Opposite the Driver is Albert Brooks who plays Bernie Rose, a member of an organized East Coast family. Bernie's partner Nino is played by Ron Perlman. The most interesting aspect of the film has nothing to do with the Driver at all. It is revealed that Bernie and Shannon have been friends since the 80's when the two were involved in making films together. I feel just this relationship could be another movie entirely.
The film is based on a 2005 novel of the same name. With the recent release of the sequel to the original book, I wonder if there will be a sequel to this film. To be quite honest, I would rather not see the Driver drive again. The film works as a standalone and should be left that way.
3.5/4 Muffins
Director Nicolas Refn sets up a great amount of suspense during the heist. He wisely drops the audio levels to almost a mute for the entire sequence. This is to have a greater effect when Standard finally gets shot and killed. The audience doesn’t expect it and neither does the Driver. In a way, it makes the scene closer to real life. What takes place after is a nice car chase that demonstrates that car chases using real automobiles are still possible without CGI. However this is where the film shifts from being slow paced to a quick and adrenaline filled second half. At the beginning of the film, the Driver’s only purpose is to drive. He gives the people who hire him not a second more than five minutes. However by the end of the film you realize he gives Irene more than the five minutes he normally offers.
Drive's simple premise is only tolerable due a strong supporting cast. AMC star's Bryan Cranston and Christina Hendricks star in the film. Bryan plays the Driver's employer Shannon, and Christina takes a very small role as a woman involved in the film's heist scene. Opposite the Driver is Albert Brooks who plays Bernie Rose, a member of an organized East Coast family. Bernie's partner Nino is played by Ron Perlman. The most interesting aspect of the film has nothing to do with the Driver at all. It is revealed that Bernie and Shannon have been friends since the 80's when the two were involved in making films together. I feel just this relationship could be another movie entirely.
The film is based on a 2005 novel of the same name. With the recent release of the sequel to the original book, I wonder if there will be a sequel to this film. To be quite honest, I would rather not see the Driver drive again. The film works as a standalone and should be left that way.
3.5/4 Muffins
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