One of the most important principles to conquer in storytelling is showing, not telling.
Many films rely too heavily on dialogue where in reality, an audience’s personal connection to the story relies on actions speaking louder than words.
Masters of this art, such as the Coen Brothers, have the utmost respect for human impulse, landscape, sound, placement and timing; what every filmmaker strives for in producing a perfect film.
The single word title, “Drive,” sounds more like a C- action flick starring Jason Stathom or John Cena, with lots of guns, explosions and boobs.
The truth of the matter is that this dark film may be the first big surprise for the coming Oscar season.
This is a graceful work of art; a film for film lovers to say the least.
By day, our protagonist simply known as Driver (Ryan Gosling) careers as a stunt man for the movies; by night, a getaway driver for hire in various heists throughout the city of Los Angeles.
When he takes a job to secure the safety of new-found neighbor friend Irene (Carey Mulligan), the heist goes south; leaving Gosling as suspect number one with a bag full of cash.
The director, Nicolas Winding Refn, a true artist whose works such as “Bronson” and “Valhalla Rising” are among some of the single most violent, yet beautiful pictures I’ve seen in a the past few years.
Refn holds true to utilizing simplistic elements to raise the hair of an audience, and he doesn’t hold back for a second in this project.
It’s no wonder that he took home the Best Director prize this year at the Cannes Film Festival; a filmmaker that ranks varsity in the study of silence.
There is a soundtrack with songs reflecting that of the late 70s, early 80s car chase films we all hate to love, but for the most part there’s no music; the ticking of a watch, the blast of a shotgun barrel, the roar of an engine, or the unnerving twitch of a skull cracking. Its enough to bring the movie to life.
Do not download this or wait for it on DVD. Spend the seven dollars and see a film meant for the theater.
The acting matches the style of the film in textbook fashion. This is a movie that runs on simplistic fumes.
Gosling is very quiet, collective and stoic.
While some would see Gosling’s character as something meant more for Keanu Reeves, a lifeless, stone-faced bore-fest, he really is someone who leads a calm persona for a stressful lifestyle; one who must be tranquil for any situation.
Gosling’s mentor and sidekick Shannon is played by the always great to watch Bryan Cranston, who since riding the “Breaking Bad” bandwagon is finally getting some really strong roles; quite powerful stuff.
Albert Brooks, known primarily for his career of comedy, is nothing short of an absolute monster as the murderous crime boss Bernie Ross.
Brooks is maniacal and haunting when you least expect him to and is nothing short of a hateful villain.
While its easy to hate the character, the Academy will without a doubt be very pleased with Brooks’ precise performance of the villain.
This isn’t the usual “Gone in 60 Seconds,” with outrageous 100-foot jumps and gas trucks exploding.
Leave that nonsense to Michael Bay.
The action is smart, shocking and scary real, whether it’s Gosling leading tailing cars into their doom, or laying down the law with a hammer at his side.
This soon to be cult classic is a mind shocker with a violent shadow cast over it that would make Quentin Tarantino smile.
This is a truly awesome film meant for people who love movies and who love to discover cult classics.
Northern film professors may very well be citing this imaginative gem for years to come.