Drive: The coolest film of the year

I saw special previews of a film called Drive tonight. Drive is a gripping cult crime film by Danish-born filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, acclaimed director of 2008’s Bronson and the Pusher trilogy.

Ryan Gosling plays a the Driver, a solitary man. By day, he works in a garage and does part-time work for the film industry as a stunt driver. He also dabbles in the odd illegal job as a getaway driver. He doesn’t want to know the people or the entire plan, and offers his services up during a five-minute window of opportunity. Kind of like Jason Statham in Transporter but not as tongue & cheek. The Driver (Ryan Gosling) gets on with his life and nothing else seems to matter then one day he meets Irene and Benecio, the mother and son who lives next door to him, and his world changes dramatically.

Carey Mulligan (right) plays Irene. She’s the girl next door type girl, quite literally. You know the type, plain Jane but with something a bit special. It’s the girl in Wall Street, the one with short hair. She and Gosling have good chemistry together. Her innocent features just furthers the notion that she is the ideal that The Driver is searching for.

The film oozed a retro, almost 80′s, in fact I thought the film was set in the 80′s for a while. However, signs throughout the film such as a new Mustang and iPhone reveal that it is modern day. Similar style to No Country For Old Men and but… cooler.

The car chases and variety of quality cars is good too. I drove the same Mustang in Miami earlier this year and beleive me, that thing can move! I couldn’t drive it like he does in the film mind you.

The film towards the end is very much a revenge frenzy in relation to his new-found happiness. Violent scenes were shocking, amplified due to the silence and placidness of the character. Mr. Nice with a bad side. A very bad side. He attempts to smash a 9mm bullet into a man’s skull with a claw-hammer, stabs a guy through the chest with a curtain rail and stamps all over a henchman’s face until it’s mush on the ground.

The soundtrack was gripping and suited the subtle pauses in the dialogue and expressions. ‘80s electronica-influenced tunes that give a look of tranquillity throughout the film. I think I’ll have a look on Spotify in the morning. The track that got my most attention, I’ve discovered is: “A Real Hero” by College (feat. Electric Youth)

Drive is well worth a watch, for me it’s the coolest film of the year. Maybe even the best film of the year. Now I really want to get my hands on the Drivers jacket!

Showing from Friday 23 September at the Cornerhouse, Manchester. 

The soundtrack is available for download starting Tuesday, and will release in hard copy on September 27. The soundtrack, released by Lakeshore Records, features music by Cliff Martinez, the former drummer of the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

What do you think?