Nightswimming

Drive (2011) by Nicolas Winding Refn

I’d understand anyone who found Drive to be an irritating flick that is trying just a bit too hard to be cool. I for one find it impossible to resist the cool factor on this one.

First, Ryan Gosling has to be one of the coolest actors of his generation — and although he’s a full-on poser in Drive, there’s much more going on behind his annoyingly composed and cool facade (the expression on his face when he’s looking at Carey Mulligan at the end of the skull crushing sequence is a perfect case of multi-layered acting). Incidentally, Gosling’s performance reminds me of Clooney’s in The American.

Second, Carey Mulligan is so fucking adorable (as usual) that it’s impossible not to care for her.

Third, I don’t think Drive would be as appealing without its fantastically graphic scenes of violence.

Fourth, the car scenes are thrilling, although too few and far between; interestingly enough, Gosling’s driving strikes me as very symptomatic of the entire movie: controlled, sleek, smooth but with the occasional burst of explosive violence. 

Finally, to wrap it all up in a nice pretty bow, there’s the sexy soundtrack that goes so well with all that driving through LA at night. I couldn’t help but bob my head to the music. 

Oh, and last but not least, you’ve got to love the jacket. Priceless. I bet Gosling found his character as soon as he tried the jacket on. 

[Download the soundtrack => HERE (link expires Oct 16th)]

(Source: kafka-on-the-shore)