"Drive" (2011) Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

“You put this kid behind the wheel, there’s nothing he can’t do”.

I love this wonderful film to almost obsessive Magnolia/Paul Thomas Anderson type levels and it is a very high watermark in the burgeoning cinematic career of Nicolas Winding Refn. Why? Who can’t love a film that so dramatically and indeed so violently, change gears so unexpectedly? Who can’t fall in love with the film’s core, a beautiful and heart rending love story between a shy coffee shop waitress and a movie stuntman driver? Who can’t but admire the stellar cast of actors who play against their perceived character type? Who won’t fall in love with the 1980’s tinged synthesiser soundtrack complimenting the crystal clear visuals? And who amongst you aren’t heartbroken by the film’s denouement as justice may be done, though the heavens may still fall?

Based on the book by James Sallis with a screenplay from Hossein Amini, Drive is very much a Nicolas Winding Refn film containing many of his accomplished touchstones: jolting and unexpected graphic violence, brilliantly captured slow motion segments heightening the build up to significant scenes, thorough and nuanced characters that shine from the screen through to a sublime soundtrack that is a very distinctive character all of it’s own. Throw in beautiful wide city scape shots reminiscent of Michael Mann’s crystal clear visions in Heat, driving sequences that take your breath away and a beautiful love story at the film’s core and you have a truly outstanding and wonderful film.

The 1980’s tinged soundtrack from regular collaborator Cliff Martinez is a real joy and is supplemented superbly by individual songs such as “Tick of the Clock” by Chromatics and particularly “A Real Hero” by College (Feat Electric Youth). This track compliments a drive through a dry underpass perfectly, encapsulating the mood of the film and is one of the many stand out scenes. Director of Photography Newton Thomas Sigel deserves immense credit for bringing Refn’s vision for the film to life, from the wide city scape shots through to the simple use of mirrors and reflections, and the angles captured during the multiple car chase scenes.

The above opening paragraphs are taken from my original spoiler free review of "Drive" penned and published nearly a decade ago, transferred to my Medium blog site on 25th December 2022 and which can also be read in full and for free via my Substack blog site and the link immediately below:

https://ramblingmusings666.substack.com/p/drive-2011-c472ddf2dc96

This spoiler free review is also integral to my 7 volumes of "essential film reviews collection" and can be found within Volume 2. Only available currently in e-book form, each exhaustive volume of spoiler free film reviews is £4.99 however, should you have an Amazon Kindle "Unlimited" package, you can read each and every volume for free:

Volume 2

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4J1S1TL

All 7 volumes

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0C4HZSTTH?binding=kindle_edition&ref=dbs_dp_rwt_sb_pc_tukn

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