MovieMantz Review: Drive

By Scott MantzLOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Drivers License to Kill DriveRyan Gosling, Carey MulliganDirected by Nicolas Winding Refn With the exception of 2004s The Notebook, Ryan Gosling has, in the last decade, tended to shy away from heartthrob-style roles in favor of non-conventional films like 2006s gritty Half Nelson (for which he earned an Oscar nomination), 2007s offbeat Lars and the Real Girl and last years intensely raw Blue Valentine. But if 2011 goes down as the year in which Gosling really broke through to mainstream moviegoers thanks to his revelatory comic turn in Crazy. Stupid. Love. his career is about to shift into high gear with his perfectly understated performance in Drive. As a stunt driver by day who moonlights as a getaway driver by night, Gosling exudes a cool charisma that recalls younger versions of Steve McQueen (from Bullitt) and Robert de Niro (from Taxi Driver). But theres much more under the hood of this atmospheric slice of LA film noir, which saw its director, Nicolas Winding Refn, deservedly win Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival back in May. What starts off as an unusual romance between Goslings shy driver and his troubled neighbor (Carey Mulligan) takes a sharp detour about halfway through, resulting in a brilliant work of art thats bold, daring and unpredictable. Its also stylish and very violent to the point where viewers may feel inclined to compare Drive to the likes of Quentin Tarantino. But seeing as how Tarantinos strength lies with dialogue and seeing as how sparse the dialogue is in Hossein Aminis screenplay (which is based on the book by James Sallis) the film is much closer to the likes of David Cronenberg, whose history of violence is more sparing, but no less grisly. Drive also has one of the most distinct and unforgettable soundtracks of any movie in recent years. The score composed by Cliff Martinez brings to mind Tangerine Dreams score for 1983s Risky Business, while some of the songs (particularly A Real Hero) also add to the 80s vibe that permeates the entire film. Goslings intense performance is supported by equally strong turns from Mulligan and Oscar Isaac (who plays the ex-con father to Mulligans young boy). Bryan Cranston and Ron Perlman are also effective as the shady low-lifes who find work for Goslings driver, but the standout turn in Drive belongs to Albert Brooks a revelation as a former film producer-turned-violent crime boss. Drive left such an immense and lasting impression on me that I simply couldnt wait to see it again. This is one mighty cool movie, and its bound to stand the test of time as a classic of its genre. So if youre looking for a rewarding cinematic experience that will stay with you long after the house lights come up, then the odds are that youll get a lot of mileage out of Drive. Verdict: SEE IT! Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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