FILM
Drive
18- Nicolas Winding Refn
- In English
- 100 mins
Showing as part of Play It Again
An enthralling and impressive crime film from by Danish-born filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn, acclaimed director of 2008’s Bronson and the Pusher trilogy. Ryan Gosling (Blue Valentine and Lars and the Real Girl) stars in a memorable performance as Driver, a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway car driver for the criminal underworld.
A solitary and introverted figure, Driver’s life changes path when he meets his new neighbour Irene, played by Oscar-winning British actress Carey Mulligan. Driver’s cool exterior slowly starts to melt and with Irene’s husband locked up behind bars, he soon becomes part of her family life and finds hope and redemption in his new-found happiness. However, it’s not for long as Driver discovers that a contract has been put on his head, after a heist goes wrong. Drive is a smart and occasionally violent film which plays stylistic homage to the US crime films of the 1970s and early 80s, reminiscent of Tarantino’s movie junkie style. A memorable and timeless example of unique filmmaking.
Staff Recommendations
Want to know if Drive is for you? Read our staff reviews from Cornerhouse AV Technician Dave Petty and LiveWire Critic Jay Crosbie >>read more
Recommended for Play It Again by Chris Daniels, Cornerhouse Usher and Project Assistant
More Info
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Carey Mulligan, Ryan Gosling
Country: US
Year: 2011
Last shown
Last shown at Cornerhouse on Wed 4th Jan 2012
REVIEWS
An existential heist movie that doffs its cap to the back catalogues of Walter Hill, John Carpenter and Michael Mann. Directed with savvy aplomb by the Danish film-maker Nicolas Winding Refn, this plays out under cloudy LA skies and thrums to a narcotic synth-pop soundtrack as it rides shotgun alongside an imperilled Hollywood stuntman. Buckle up; it's quite a ride. ****
The Guardian
The year's coolest movie cruises into cinemas ****
Total Film
A modern classic. Recalls the best of early Copolla. A masterpiece. *****
Daily Mirror
This high-octane thriller is the most stylish film in years [...] Gosling has the ice-cold cool of Paul Newman *****
The Independent
Drive is superior on every level [...] It's a blood-pumping thrill ride of a movie ****
The Times
