I was excited about seeing this one as I wrote about it a while back, and I can proudly say that the hype and praise critics have given it along with my own expectations for it were warranted. I walked away after the film's final scene, "Damn that was a good movie. Hell it was a great movie." What makes it a great movie is, well, everything. Gosling's character is an epitome of cool that could draw bloodlines from Steve McQueen and James Dean, mixed with the stoic but still threatening nature of Clint Eastwood's iconic "Man With No Name" role. If you think Gosling couldn't be an action guy, watch this and you will be convinced that he can be. Gosling has been one of those names that's been "on the cusp" of breaking out and moving into the upper echelon, and he definitely does it here. Come awards time, you'll definitely see his name tossed up as a nominee. However it's not just The Ryan Gosling Show (though it really is) as the supporting cast also does a wonderful job. Carey Mulligan, Christina Hendricks, Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, Oscar Isaac, and Albert Brooks round out the cast. Brooks turns a very good performance as a mob boss that must be noted as well. Obviously the cast is one of the most important parts that make a film, but just as important is the directing and in the case of "Drive" it was fantastic. Most people were introduced to Winding Refn when he directed "Bronson," starring quite possibly the next star on the rise, Tom Hardy. With "Drive," I think a lot more people are going to know who he is and he will be in demand. His vision for the film draws up a lot of influences to neo-noir art house, film noir, B-movie styles, and it's all mixed beautifully that the scenery is as much a treat to the eyes as the cast is. Complimenting the impressive visuals is the soundtrack. Composed by Cliff Martinez who also worked the soundtrack for another very good film, "Contagion" (review of that one is coming soon) is an electro/synth-pop delight and really anything else would've felt out of place for the film. It's a rare mix when just about all of the major elements of a film work so wonderfully as individual pieces and when they are combined it's a great end product. That said, don't take the high praise for the film as it being something of an all-time great. Is "Drive" in that category? Nope. However all of the key elements in producing an enjoyable and entertaining film experience all clicked that it was just hard to find fault in it. It's a movie that I think bears repeated viewings because there's a lot of things to like and take away from it.
Ryan Gosling as an action star? You better believe it. Hell, this film puts Gosling in that next level of leading men in Hollywood and Nicolas Winding Refn has turned in another solid directing effort and he is justified in winning the Best Director prize at Cannes. "Drive" is without a doubt one of my favorite films of the year as every aspect about it was simply a joy.
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