Drive (2011)
2011
R
100 Minutes
Driver is a skilled Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. Though he projects an icy exterior, lately he's been warming up to a pretty neighbor named Irene and her you...
User Review
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WHAT I LIKED: Let's just get one thing straight; 'Drive' is as much an out-and-out action movie as 'Fast and Furious' is a romantic comedy, and that is without doubt a compliment. Yes absent is the over-abundance of fast-paced jump-cuts and exciting sequences you might expect from the genre, and in their place is a far more balanced, well-directed study that takes a lot of time to establish itself and hook you into the unfolding events. As a result, particularly in its first half, this is a film that feels strikingly indulgent and fresh, and brings its intriguing characters to life extremely well. This is of course helped by good performances across the board, but the overall engagement that all of this unlocks mostly comes from the sublime direction where every shot, line and piece of music is given just the right amount of breathing space to hit you where it matters.
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: Once the film has properly hooked you about half way through, it does have to be said that it slightly shifts its focus away from slow character studies, towards a more in-depth exploration of the plot - which itself is becoming increasingly over-complicated without serving any higher purpose. Sadly in the end, that shift arguably undoes some of the time spent getting to know our characters, and certainly hinders the engagement you could have otherwise had if it stayed with its eye on character until the end.
VERDICT: A very well-directed drama that begins amazingly with its characters, and then ends up on a slightly different road as the plot unfolds and takes the centre-stage. 'Drive' is great, but it's never been a film that I hugely adore.1 member likes this review.
