Movie Review: "Drive"

Drive
Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Albert Brooks, Bryan Cranston
Rated: R for strong brutal bloody violence, language and some nudity

Emerging with strong accolades from the Cannes Film Festival was the underground thriller Drive, directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, whom has directed some strong international films the past several years before venturing into American made films. Drive is smart thriller, not wasting away on pointless car-chases or action. It’s the type of crime film (and pseudo love story) that sneaks up and surprises you. Gosling’s unnamed character is the pure definition of the new macho movement, while Albert Brooks is a terrifying as they come. The other performances, from Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, and Oscar Issacs are strong, as well. A behind the direction of Winding Refn, the film transcends it’s genre to truly something incredible. Unfortunately, the style of Winding Refn, performance of Gosling, car chase sequences, and brutal, brutal, brutal violence can’t bring any meaning to this story. It’s a good story, one that depicts unconditional love and how it sometimes isn’t even personally rewarding, but this isn’t naturally drawn from the ending. Despite it’s success and quality, Drive flies by without much of a theme or message, leaving you with a great experience but feeling rather empty.