I Watched Your Movie: "Drive"

Author's Note: I've found that the more I write, regardless of what it is, the better my writing seems to be. Reviewing the various pieces of media I consume is a cheap, easy way to keep myself stretched out and limber.

All scores out of 10.

Plot: "Drive" is a slightly formulaic action thriller following an unnamed protagonist who winds up on the wrong side of the local crime lords.  There are few surprises here; things proceed in an orderly, predictable fashion, with no leaps in logic or suspension of disbelief required.  That's not to say it isn't interesting and engaging; our hero and those he cares about are royally fucked, and the brutality and body count leave you unsure of their ultimate fates until the conclusion.  This is not the feel good Hollywood action movie the trailers lead me, and seemingly the rest of the theater, to expect.  It is vicious and sudden and blunt in its delivery.  Score: 7.

Cast: Ryan Gosling is extremely effective as the Driver.  He cares even less about smalltalk than yours truly, but beneath that awkward exterior is a man with both a kind heart and a wicked mean streak.  When it's time to bring the pain, he does so efficiently and remorselessly.  He's obviously done so before.  I can't decide if his demeanor and ease with violence were due to innate mental problems or if they were the result of a troubled past.  I suspect the latter, but the movie doesn't tell.

Carey Mulligan is excellent as Irene, the object of the Driver's affections.  She is the rarest of all modern female leads: the attractive woman who is never, ever objectified by the director.  The one instance of physicality between Irene and the Driver is not there to titillate but to progress the development of the characters, to show the Driver's acceptance of his likely fate and his desire to do something he will probably never get another chance to do.  That's right, I'm more than just poop jokes.

Bryan Cranston, as always, plays the down-on-his-luck, in-over-his-midlife-crisising-head role to a T.  Ron Perlman almost steals the show as a vicious mob boss.  I was surprised at Christina Hendricks's relatively small role, given her name recognition and "It Girl" status.  Score: 9.

Cinematography: Director Nicolas Winding Refn presents his story slowly and deliberately, making us give a crap about the Driver and especially Irene before the shit hits the fan.  The New Wave-y soundtrack is jarring; in theory the movie's main theme, College's "A Real Hero," should not work in a movie like this.  It's something you'd hear at the end of an 80's prom.  I kept wondering when the Driver was going to find Molly Ringwald crying on the side of the road in a poofy pink dress.  But the more I heard it the more I felt it fit.  It's catchy as shit, and I've been listening to it nearly nonstop at work since buying it Monday morning.  There were a few too many awkward, brooding, lingering glances for my taste, especially from Irene.  Score: 8.

Ending: The final fight feels a little quick and anti-climactic, but it makes sense within the scope of the film.  I was surprised at how relatively well things turned out for our heroes given the overall brutality of the plot.  Score: 8.

Add 'em all up, divide by 4, and we get an 8.  That sounds appropriate.  "Drive" is a very good movie, but it's not one I want to sit through again anytime soon.  Think the new "True Grit" or "The Wrestler."

Bests: Irene; the Driver's awesome jacket; absolutely everything about the elevator scene; the soundtrack.
"Bests:" No matter how much blood gets on the Driver's jacket, he never bothers to wash it.
Worst: If the characters would stop staring at each other and fucking say something you could knock at least twenty minutes off the movie's running time; realizing I'm a pussy when I couldn't watch someone get forked in the eye; I'm not sure why the Driver bothered to disguise himself at one point.
Go see this movie if: You made the mistake of going to "Cowboys & Aliens" and/or "Conan" and need something to reaffirm your faith in the modern action movie.
Don't bother if: You're expecting something fun; you can't deal with realistic violence.