The Best Films I Saw in 2011 is back with another slew of entries. This installment's film was one that marked 2011 as a good year for actor Ryan Gosling. From his start as a child actor on programs like Are You Afraid of the Dark? and Kung Fu: The Legend Continues to his break-out in films like The Notebook and Lars and the Real Girl, he's rapidly matured as an actor. This edition's film is the action-noir gem that had Gosling share the screen with some of the industry's best.
The Best I Saw in 2011: Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive
Gosling plays the mysterious Driver, a stunt wheelman that moonlights as a getaway driver for hire. He's paid for five minutes to get his solicitors away from the cops before he leaves them on their own. The opening car chase is low key, but suspenseful. Anyone expecting the CGI-heavy “stunts” in films like The Fast and the Furious or the atrocious remake of Gone in Sixty Seconds may be disappointed, or they may be delighted by seeing real cars for once.
The Driver meets his neighbor, Irene (Carey Mulligan), and her son, Benicio (Kaden Leos). He tries to keep his distance, but he soon begins to fall for her. This relationship comes to a halt when Irene's husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac), is released from prison. Despite serving his time, Standard still has debts he needs to pay off or his family is to suffer.
After a botched robbery at a pawn shop with an associate, Blanche (Christina Hendricks), Standard is killed and now the Driver is mixed up with the mob the robbery was perpetrated against. Turns out the pawn shop has connections with infamous mobsters, Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) and Nino (Ron Perlman). Now, the Driver must somehow protect Irene, Benicio, and his auto connection, Shannon (Bryan Cranston) and save his own life as well.
The Review
As far as I'm concerned, this film warrants all the praise it was given critically and by the movie-viewing public. Gosling turns in a stellar performance. He has the cool of Steve McQueen, but not to the point of caricature as McQueen did. Mulligan does a good turn as the damsel in distress that's caught in the middle. Cranston is humorous as the guy who provides Gosling with the cars for his getaway driving.
However, Albert Brooks steals the show and clearly relishes his chance to play a vicious mobster. He doesn't play the role as a stereotype, and there is sincerity in his eyes as he plays Bernie Rose. This is not the typical, Martin Scorsese-wannabe character audiences are subjected to. Brooks' scenes with Perlman add much-needed comic relief to break the tension this movie holds for its 100 minute running time.
The new-wave 80's music score by Cliff Martinez recalls Michael Mann, notably Miami Vice and Manhunter. Martinez's synthesizer tracks add to the retro flavor of this film. From Anthony G. Nakonechnyj's lighting to the set design by Lisa K. Sessions, this film has that decadent spirit that was encapsulated in 80's cinema.
Winding Refn's direction doesn't scream testosterone like recent car-action films. The two chases in this film honor the spirit of classic car movies like The French Connection, Bullitt, and The Seven-Ups, as well as recent films like Tarantino's Death Proof. The performances aren't over the top, which may explain why neither Gosling nor Brooks was nominated for an Academy Award– and why people have a hard time taking the Oscars seriously anymore.
Conclusion
Drive stands as a stellar hybrid film that blends the neo-noir of films like Brick and The Dark Knight with the classic car chase films of yesteryear. Add a dash of 80's flair for style and you have well-executed, understated film. If you truly appreciate cinema, then this film needs to be part of your collection.
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