I don't drive. If I did, there would be thousands of causalities. Oh My God. What If I drove over an animal? But I enjoy sitting in the car, while someone who knows what they are doing is driving. It's so relaxing. You have music on and you see all those places and people through the window. It's especially amazing at night.Watching Drive is a bit like that, except you are sitting in front of the screen watching the movie. But it completely captures the vibe - the film has an amazing style, but the style never hides the substance. Drive is one of those movies that are destined to become a classic - it's the kind of story that is both intriguing and entertaining. And all of that because of the protagonist.
We only know him as Driver. He is a mysterious figure, of whom we know nothing about other than for the fact that he is an excellent driver and he keeps to himself. Driver's path crosses with that of Irene, his innocent, lovely neighbor played by brilliantly cast Carey Mulligan. He falls for her, but it is the kind of love story that you sense can never reach happy ending. Whether it's because of Driver's past or his personality - we can't know for sure.
This sense of continuous mystery works very well and it's especially admirable because even though we don't know much about the protagonist, we root for him. He is a violent guy, but he wants to protect innocent woman and her child, easily blending in the role of a true hero, selfless person that doesn't want anything for himself other than the knowledge Irene and her child are safe from any harm.
The movie, beautifully directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, has the most amazing soundtrack. I'm not a music expert so I don't really know the right term here but it sounds like smooth pop from the 80's with a touch of electro. The sensual sounds and simple, but memorable, lyrics aided by great cinematography and elegant editing really establish amazing atmosphere of the movie.
Though I'm not that into Ryan Gosling and I really don't think of him as someone who is a strong guy, he actually plays menacing and violent Driver very well. It's something about his eyes and the confidence - when he threatens the people in the movie you are completely convinced he would carry out those threats, without second though.
Visual Parallels Drive/Taxi Driver - HERE
PREVIOUS MOVIES OF THE MONTH:
I knew it! Yaay <3
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty sure this film will become a cult classic. It deserves to.
Oh, definitely! This film is already so beloved.
DeleteUmm... I thought it was something like The Fast and the Furious... obviously, I was very wrong. Watching this ASAP, you really sparked my interest! And as a bonus, I like Ryan Gosling a lot... ;)
ReplyDeleteIt couldn't be more different! :) I think you are really going to like this one!
DeleteI'm right there with you. I love this movie, and I really need to sit down and give it a rewatch pretty soon. I can totally agree that this is destined to become a classic, and Ryan Gosling delivers an underrated performance.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! I really liked Gosling in this one, I didn't think he was going to be the right fit but I cannot imagine anyone else in that role now.
DeleteSuch a good film, I've been itching to watch it again in anticipation of Only God Forgives.
ReplyDeleteOnly God Forgives looks awesome too, can't wait for this one.
DeleteDrive feels to me one of those movies that I love but everyone else loathes (at the least the people I've talked to!). Great to see this as Movie of the Month. Slower moving films with not a lot of action and strong story are my top faves. Drive is definitely one of them! :)
ReplyDeleteReally? I don't think I met a single person who didn't like this one. It's such a unique movie, I love its atmosphere and the story is very gripping despite its simplicity.
DeleteIf The Tree of Life hadn't come out in 2011, this would've been my pick for best film of that year. I got sucked into this film once I saw it and things aren't the same afterwards. I didn't buy the DVD when it came out because I'd rather wait for a special edition DVD w/ more extra features. Hopefully from the Criterion Collection as it's also in my shortlist of films to write about in my Favorite Film series (if it's going to come back).
ReplyDeleteOh, yeah I bet the special edition of this one will be amazing. It is the kind of movie that deserves a lot of extra features and some sort of killer, artsy cover.
DeleteI love Drive. I think it's one of the few violent films that I love. I love the scene where he carry the boy from the back (Gosling made it look like he's protecting the boy) and of course the kiss in the elevator. And the soundtrack is excellent. Nice choice!
ReplyDeleteThanks! I love that soundtrack. I can't get enough of it.
Delete"I don't drive. If I did, there would be thousands of causalities. Oh My God. What If I drove over an animal?" Ahahaha, you are just too funny, Sati. I'm sure you'll be a fine driver, and the only animal you might run over are ants :D
ReplyDeleteAs for Drive, well you know I'm not fond of Gosling at all but I might give it a rent as it's on Netflix Streaming. I'll be sure to leave the room to get a cup of water when I see him holding that hammer, ahah.
Oh, no, I'd be awful. I couldn't even ride a bike when I was little :P
DeleteIt has some gore in it. Mostly it's a quiet or subtle scene and than suddenly there is blood :)
Y'know what, I just learned how to ride a bike 4 yrs ago and that's only because my friends invited my hubby and I to go on a bike trip! I didn't fall over though I can't say that I bike very well as I'm super s-l-o-w, ahah.
DeleteI'll give this a shot, though not super enthused to see it right away.
I'd probably die if I tried to ride a bike now :) I'm awful at any kinds of sports apart from swimming :)
DeleteA wonderful post for a wonderful film! I love this movie so much. The soundtrack is killer too.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Glad you like this one too!
DeleteNice review. Loved Drive, easily one of the best movies of the past few years. It's sure to become a cult classic.
ReplyDeleteYep, it's certainly on its way to doing that.
DeleteDrive was definitely my favorite movie the year it came out.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It wasn't in my top 10 but it is definitely great.
DeleteLoved reading this, if for no other reason than it took me back to the Drive/Taxi Driver Visual Parallels. Remarkable stuff.
ReplyDeleteYou know what? Director Nicolas Winding Refn doesn't have a driver's license either, he failed 8x, because he is dyslectic and color blind. Refn said so in funny moviefone unscripted with Gosling. Maybe driving as a special ability came from Refn's inability, who knows.
ReplyDeleteI was turned off by the sudden violence in Drive. Although the movie does make driving really cool, and the soundtrack is amazing.
I'm dyslectic too, I sometimes reverse things in my memory, so I think it would be incredibly hard to learn signs and stuff, no wonder he failed :)
DeleteI actually liked how sudden violence was. Made it even more powerful.
Really coincidental I watched this last night, for like the 13th time.
ReplyDeleteSo stylish, such a great soundtrack as you mention. I can't wait for Only God Forgives.
Was reading that the author of the book Drive released his sequel last year in Driven, Gosling + Refn both said they'd be interested in doing a possible sequel down the track, that would be amazing!
I always thought the Driver died in the end of Drive, but when I heard of sequel plans...I guess I was wrong :)
DeleteLove the film. I've listened to its soundtrack many times while driving. Awesome images, by the way.
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yeah, I know you are a fan!
DeleteOne of my favourite film's of recent times Sati. This is one that is definitely going to age well. I doubt I'll ever tire of it.
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome that you are such a big fan. I agree, it's just destined to become one of those movies people will keep falling in love with, even years from now.
DeleteExcellent choice, as always. This movie was the best theatrical experience I've ever had. I went in knowing NOTHING. I hadn't even seen a preview. Needless to say, my ass was kicked by the unrelenting style and intensity of each and every frame.
ReplyDeleteThe elevator scene is in my top 5. Ever.
Oh, the elevator scene was mesmerizing. Everything was just so perfect there.
DeleteI really hope Only God Forgives is at least close to this awesomeness.
Hell yeah. Nice writeup of a great movie! Love your selection of images, too. You've made me want to watch it again.
ReplyDeleteThank you! It's always a good idea to watch Drive :)
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