Nicolas Winding Refn’s ‘Drive’ spun onto DVD and Blu-ray here in the UK this Monday and will hopefully bring a little joy to everyone who decides to go out and purchase a copy. Ryan Gosling plays our unnamed lead, a quiet man whom by day works as a Hollywood stuntman and garage mechanic and in the evening runs as a part-time getaway driver. The driver soon becomes involved with his neighbour and ends up assisting her husband upon his release from prison in a robbery which goes wrong.
Shot in a strikingly welcome retro style reminiscent of movies from decades past ‘Drive’ is a simplified volley of subtle thrills and has a beautifully reigned in approach which even though can be perceived as laziness from its director simply heightens the ongoing tension and soothing qualities of the experience. When merged with typical juxtaposition of the synthesizer-styled soundtrack the whole experience bundles together a skillfully uncomplicated story.
The driver himself is soft-spoken and wholly interesting and one of which the embodiment of Gosling manages to command the screen in every scene he’s featured in. There is total lack of our lead characters history, back-story and drive (no pun intended) which ultimately adjoins the minimalist approach that is apparent throughout the full length of the movie.
OVERALL SUMMARY
‘Drive’ trundles along at a snails pace for a large part of the movie which understandably can put off those audience members whom crave relentless action, dialogue and brutal violence from typical crime thrillers. However, the tempo of the action is rhythmic and with outstanding performances as usual from supporting cast members Carey Mulligan, ‘Breaking Bad’s Bryan Cranston and Albert Brooks director Refn has achieved an interesting and understated manner of filmmaking for this James Sallis based feature adaption. Even Ron Perlman manages to pick a half decent acting role for himself for a change. Everyone’s a winner.
