Drive takes about 30 minutes to get started. Ryan Gosling plays an almost robotic guy who does stunt driving and works on cars during the day, but also hires himself out as a wheel-man to Bad Guys at night. Ryan meets Carey Mulligan in his apartment building and you know they’re going to fall in love. Carey’s husband gets released from prison, but he owes some Bad Guys money. They threaten Carey Mulligan and her kid. At this point, Ryan offers his services as a wheel-man to the husband: one big score, pay off the Bad Guys, and then live in peace. Well, you know where this is going. Drive has a high-wattage cast. In addition to Gosling and Mulligan, there’s Albert Brooks, Christina Hendricks, and Ron Perlman. You might think director Nicolas Winding Refn could really deliver a top-notch movie with this talent. But, you would be wrong. GRADE: C+
I liked this more than you did. It was one of my favorites of last year. I’ve watched it 3 or 4 times. Great soundtrack too.
I liked it more after I had time to think about it. What they were going for with the central character–a guy who stays out of trouble by staying out of life. And then the romance changes that. Phil liked it less.
My son, Patrick, considered DRIVE his favorite movie of 2011, Steve. I just found the pacing glacial (until the second half of the movie) and script weak. But, you’re right about the soundtrack.
Carey Mulligan could have played a much bigger role in DRIVE, Patti. Too much of the time she’s just looking pensive.
I don’t think they gave her anything to work with. But I’d still give it a higher rating, maybe a B.
This got pretty good reviews when it was released. Have not seen it yet, but I did enjoy the grim and grimy Sallis novel it was based on.
I think Carey Mulligan is going to emerge as a Major Star, Jeff. And she was pretty much wasted in DRIVE. That annoyed me. The first 30 minutes were pretty slow, too.
I’ve heard rumors of a sequel to DRIVE, Drongo. DRIVE is worth a look. The potential was there for a much, much better movie.
The book did have a sequel this year so the movie certainly might have one too.
I’d recommend the first book.
If they do a sequel to DRIVE, I hope they find a new director, Jeff. Love the soundtrack, though!
Talk about gratuitous violence! I love Ryan Gosling but I’ll probably pass on the sequel.
Yes, Beth, the violence seemed to be over-the-top. Plenty about this movie bothered me, especially the conclusion. Who leaves a million dollars in a parking lot???