Drive (2011)

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston

A mysterious Hollywood stuntman and mechanic moonlights as a getaway driver and finds himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbor.

‘Drive’ certainly is unlike any vengeance film I’ve experienced. The film’s beginning is seriously short on dialogue. I mean, there are literally moments when characters are together without saying a single word. But the cinematography is so awesome that dialogue is sometimes not necessary.

The film’s score is awesome! It has a tranquil synthesized mood, resulting in a serene feel, despite the dark theme. The film spends about 40 minutes setting up the scene and the characters (and is never boring), but when the action (and unexpected) arrives around the 45-minute mark, the film really hits you! It grabs you and doesn’t let go. Be warned, despite the film’s initial tranquility, it becomes brutal and gory – yet ever so stylish and effective.

Ryan Gosling is outstanding!! His character is mysterious and seemingly trouble-free (Dan Stevens’ character in 2014’s ‘The Guest’ was very similar). ‘Drive’ is beautifully filmed and will consume you with every frame. By the end of the film one can’t help but think what a masterfully crafted film this actually was! Brilliant!!

‘Drive’ received an Oscar nomination for Best Achievement in Sound Editing. It received a further 250 award nominations, winning 77 – including Best Supporting Actor, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Achievement in Film Editing, Best Action Movie, Best Film, Best Original Score, Best Actor, Best Drama Movie, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing…

Would I watch it again? Yes.