Well, it may be the beginning of another week, but it is with great sadness that we must now face the end of another blog series—for now, anyway. I’m sure this will make a comeback in 2016. 😉 Anyway, after checking 2001: A Space Odyssey, Rear Window, and Moon off of my list, I decided to turn my attention to one I’ve been hearing great things about for a few years now—one that Eric and Zoë were just talking about here. Time to discuss Drive!
Drive (2011)
Synopsis: “A mysterious Hollywood stuntman, mechanic and getaway driver lands himself in trouble when he helps out his neighbor.” –www.imdb.com
What I liked:
- The style. I’ve seen it described as an “arthouse action film,” and that’s pretty much the best way to put it. It’s a weird combination, but it actually works really well and makes it stand out as something unique. Everything about it—the camera angles, the lighting, the soundtrack…it’s just really, really cool.
- The nearly constant tension. Right from the first few minutes, this film keeps you on edge. That first scene sets the mood pretty perfectly, and there are lots of great, tense moments after that. Plus, even when you’re tense and expecting something to happen, it’ll still take you by surprise—particularly some of the more violent moments.
- The supporting cast. I didn’t really know who all was in this movie, so imagine my surprise Bryan Cranston, Ron Perlman, and Albert Brooks all popped up! These guys are all pretty great—even if it was extremely weird hearing Marlin from Finding Nemo’s voice coming out a hardcore gangster’s mouth. Who knew Brooks could act so tough? I even liked Carey Mulligan in this, and she tends to bother me for some reason. I don’t know why…
- Ryan Gosling as the Driver. No name—just “Driver.” As a stunt driver/mechanic by day and a getaway driver for criminals by night, the character is not only really interesting but also played perfectly by Gosling. He’s a pretty mysterious guy—intense and violent, sweet and caring, clever and quick-thinking. The Driver is a fascinating character to follow.
- That elevator scene. I know that ties in pretty closely to the style, but it really is the standout moment of the film. Tension builds when Irene (Mulligan) and the Driver step into an elevator with a shady character, but all of the sudden everything just stops. The lights dim, music plays, and Irene and the Driver have a moment. Immediately after, something really, really horrible happens. If you haven’t seen it, I won’t spoil it, but you can watch that moment here.
What I didn’t like:
- Sometimes it feels like it’s trying too hard to be cool. Don’t get me wrong—I enjoyed it nonetheless, but part of me couldn’t help being like, “Hmm. Is this what a hipster action movie is like?” Just the music and the way the characters behaved…I don’t know. It mostly irked me in the beginning, but I got over it pretty quickly.
- There are times when the dialogue is just…awkward. Especially when there are scenes between the Driver and Irene. Or, really when anyone has a conversation with the Driver. He’s a man of few words, sure, but it’s sometimes that gets a little old. Again, it was the kind of thing that I got over, but it might not work for everyone.
- So. Much. Staring. Of course, that ties in with the dialogue a bit, too. And, once again, this is mostly when it comes to the Driver and Irene. Like, do people stare at each other without talking this much in real life?
- To me, the love story seems a little rushed. It’s cute and all, and they definitely have chemistry, but Irene and the Driver clearly fall for each other in…what, like, 20 minutes? Meh.
- It’s very violent, and some people might not like that. There are definitely a few cringeworthy deaths—moments I turned away from once or twice. It was manageable for me, but that might not be the case for everyone.
A Worthy Resolution? Totally! Drive was a really unique experience—an action flick, yes, but a kind of higher form of action flick. Something that felt as artistic and interesting as it was exciting. Great performances across the board, undeniable style, and an engaging story made this a pretty awesome resolution film to end on.
My Grade: A-
That’s a wrap! Thanks for tuning in, everybody! This has been another fun series made particularly awesome with help from all of the lovely people who took the time to participate. In case you missed some stuff, those people and their respective film resolutions were:
- Melissa of Snap Crackle Watch – O Brother, Where Art Thou?
- Eric of Isaacs Picture Conclusion – The African Queen
- Abbi of Where the Wild Things Are – Cinema Pardiso
- Steven of Past, Present, Future in TV and Film – Charlie Wilson’s War
- Rob of MovieRob – Requiem for a Dream and Touch of Evil
- Kim of Tranquil Dreams – Anna Karenina
- Anna of Film Grimoire – The Artist
- Niall of The Fluff Is Raging – The Beach
- Zoë of The Sporadic Chronicles of a Beginner Blogger – Hotel Transylvania
- Brian of Hard Ticket to Home Video – The Apartment
- Thomas of Video As Life – Kill Bill: Volume 1
- Luke of Oracle of Film – Robocop
You all are the GREATEST!!! Thank you so much for taking part in this. I’m lucky to be surrounded by such awesome, enthusiastic bloggers. 🙂
Anyway, over the next couple of weeks I’m going to be cheating a little. I’ll still be around, but in preparation for the Oscars (and to give myself a break), I thought it would be fun to reblog some of the reviews I’ve done of Oscar-nominated films. Plus, this will hopefully give me the chance to catch up on many of the blogs I’ve fallen so shamefully behind on. Sorry about that, guys. Let’s see if I can remedy that. So Oscar reblogs kick off tomorrow! See you then!
OMG I LOVE DRIVE!!!!!!!
…I’m sensing a touch of sarcasm. Or, like, a bucketful. Haha.
Lol! Looks like another movie that Brian hates?!? Can’t believe you’d not yet seen this, Cara. Drive is a funny one. I liked it at the time but do think it’s a bit overrated. I know what you mean about it trying too hard to be cool. I did like the overall style but, more than anything, I really loved the soundtrack even more than the film. Oh, I did like his jacket too. Good review! I’ll join in the next time you do this. Promise! 🙂
Lol. Oh Brian. What are we gonna do with him? Yeah I don’t know how I missed Drive! I’m glad I got around to it though. I could definitely see people thinking it’s overrated. The soundtrack is definitely one of the best things about it. So cool! I liked the jacket, too, but by the end I was like, “Will you get out of that damn bloody jacket, Ryan Gosling?!” Lol. Thanks, lady! You know I’d be thrilled to have you for this next year–or for anything else I do, of course. 🙂
True – I suppose that jacket probably stunk! #BO
HA! I honestly didn’t even think about that. I assumed that pretty, pretty Ryan Gosling’s sweat smells like roses. Or vanilla. Or roses dipped in vanilla with a cake baking nearby.
thanks for letting me participate in this Cara. my problem (both this year and last) is finding really great movies that I’ve missed out on….hopefully next year will be better 🙂
Looking forward to ur Oscar reposts!
Thank YOU for taking the time to watch and write! Yeah, I’m sorry yours weren’t stellar movies, but it sounds like Touch of Evil at least was pretty good! But, yes, I hope you find some awesome ones next year. 🙂
Haha well it may not be the most exciting stuff around here for a while, but along with the reblogs I will be getting one new review in next week. 🙂
What an awesome blogathon! Thanks for letting me take part! Glad you enjoyed Drive.
It was lovely to have you, Abbi! Thank YOU! And yeah, Drive was great! A fitting one to end on. 🙂
Cara Gale!!
When you told us last week that you will be taking a beak – I was devastated… glad to hear it’s only from brand new material!! That really warms my cockles, you trollop!!
Giantess
P.S. It makes me very happy to see that you liked this : ) : ) : )
Thought you’d like that. 🙂 It was great!!
Xo, mamasita!
LOL. I’d say that I’m happy to warm your cockles…but that sounds weird. 😉 Yes, I’ll still be around, lazily reblogging and harassing your blog. Never fear, you strumpet!! 🙂
I think what’s awesome about Drive is it gets away with these shockingly violent sequences and a whole bunch of staring. The staring does become a bit comical at a point, but may I suggest you never ever take a look at Only God Forgives. That one really pushes minimalist storytelling to the extreme and it honestly fails. Or so I thought.
Nice one to wrap this Resolutions blogathon up with Cara! I’m glad you’ve managed to finally watch this.
Oh gees. Yeah, I’ve heard way too many bad things about Only God Forgives. I’m staying far away from that one. Hahaha. Thanks, Tom! I’m pleased as punch to no longer be that “hasn’t watched Drive yet” pariah. 😉
Was it peer pressure that finally got you to watch it? I hate when that happens. . . that’s not really fair.
Haha noooo not really. I just kept hearing all these good things, and I was finally like, “I’d really like to know what these people are talking about…” So I watched! And they all lived happily ever after! I mean, except for all the people who died in Drive…
Lol! I know, right? so much carnage. . .
And Albert Brooks. ALBERT BROOKS. FREAKING MARLIN. I’m still getting over him and that scene with Bryan Cranston…
Oh my gosh yes!! You know, he was so good in that movie that I started to just assume that’s the kind of character he always plays. It never struck me that he was more of a comedic actor. And I literally had NO idea he was in Finding Nemo. (Mostly b/c I haven’t seen that movie.)
I know, I know. Now it’s time to call me out. . . lol! I can’t believe i haven’t seen that thing yet.
…I’m not going to call you out, Tom. You already know how much you’ve sinned.
#forshame 😉
If it helps get you even more into the Oscar spirit, Turner Classic Movies is currently running its 31 Days of Oscar!! So much fun, if you can catch a film you haven’t seen, or just to watch one again!
Oooh good to know! Thanks for the tip, Steven! 🙂
Farewell Resolutions series! Until next year! Thanks for hosting an excellent series though Cara! 😀
And Drive is also pretty amazing, I loved it on the first watch and have always meant to watch it again.
Thank YOU for being an awesome participant, Miss Anna! This is one of my favorite series over here. Gets my butt in gear to watch all the things I’ve been missing! 😉
And Drive is totally great! So glad I decided to end on it. I fully support a second watch!!
Thanks Cara, this was a fantastic run and I had fun.
Now, as for Drive. I am so happy to hear you liked it so much, flaws and all. I think it is one of the best movies of the last few years. I am just totally head over heels in love with it. And that elevator scene ❤
Thank you for taking part, lady!! I’m glad you had fun with it. 🙂 And Drive was awesome! So happy I decided to give it a go. The elevator scene is amazing. One of those where you just can’t take your eyes off the screen. Totally worked for me!
One comment Ryan Gosling is still hot!
Hahaha ain’t it the truth! 😉