Since I saw “Drive” on it’s opening night on Sept. 16, I have been talking about it pretty much nonstop. A lot of people have told me that it didn’t look like anything special, just another action movie along the lines of the “Fast and Furious” franchise. The phrase I would use to describe “Drive” is absolutely, something special.
Ryan Gosling plays The Driver, a man with no name type, who does stunt work for movies by day, and getaway driving for criminals by night. More simply, in The Driver’s words, he drives.
He also does work at a shop, with owner Shannon, played by Bryan Cranston, who has a cult following for his iconic role as Walter White on the TV show “Breaking Bad.” Shannon is looking to use The Driver to break into NASCAR, with the help of shady businessmen Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) and Nino (Ron Pearlman).
This plan all goes awry when The Driver helps out on  a pawn shop robbery gone wrong. He is helping the husband of neighbor and potential love interest, Irene, played by the lovely Carey Mulligan.
The film “Drive” has almost no relationship to the trailer. In reality, it is an extremely stylish genre movie, from the genius director Nicolas Winding Refn. It spends more frames on Gosling’s array of blank stares, than girls, or guns, or cars.
Not a single cliche can be found in the movie. The early flirtation between Gosling and Mulligan is subtle and heart warming. Honestly, you could not find two more attractive people to make a couple.
The beauty of this film certainly does not stop with the lead actors. Every shot is calculated perfectly for beauty. The use of unrealistic lighting makes the whole thing look like a beautiful, violent fairytale. The sweeping shots of Los Angeles, or what we see through The Driver’s window, is magnificent, truly some of the most amazing city shots to be found on film.
Some of the most enjoyable moments of this movie are spent staring out the windshield of The Driver’s car, enjoying the insanely fun music of composer Cliff Martinez, as he drives around by himself. He becomes a stunningly compelling character, considering the little amount of dialogue he has. He wants you to believe that he is too cool for words, and has nothing to say to you.

But in reality, is a genuinely psychotic character, and doesn’t know how to communicate. Driving around the streets of LA by himself is the only way he can feel anything.

Gosling plays this complex character perfectly. His support is incredible. Mulligan doesn’t have much to do, but accomplishes more than any replacement could. It is truly a shame that Cranston and Brooks can’t both win Oscars. Brooks plays one of the most intimidating villains in recent memory, and Cranston wins audience’s hearts despite the least screen time of any major player.
The ultra-violence and off beat nature of the film will prevent it from ever being a serious mainstream success, and unfortunately, from getting any serious attention from the all-knowing Academy. But the incredible quality and entertainment will provoke a very passionate group of followers, and I will certainly be one of them.