Drive

Here is a film that doesn’t give a damn if you appreciate it or not.  Here’s a film pretentious enough to trim the fat wherever and whenever possible, not holding your hand at all on plot points or what may possibly pass as lapses of logic.  Here’s a film that deserves to be in your top 10 this year even if you hate it.

Ryan Gosling has maybe 27 lines in this film.  I’m guestimating here but I’m fairly certain mathematically he speaks possibly %22 of the film.  The rest is spoken through his actions and his facial expressions, and I’m not kidding, he deserves an academy nod for it.  He has already had a truly amazing year, but between this, Crazy Stupid Love, and Ides of March, here’s hoping he finally starts to get the recognition he deserves.

There are two groups of people in this world, and this film is only made for one or the other.  Here are some general and spoiler-free descriptions of several of the most amazing scenes in the film.

Opening scene – a Car chase/getaway that never rises past 50 mph, and %80 of the time happens at around 35 to 40mph.  Also happens to be the smartest car chase I’ve ever seen.

A romantic scene next to a window with literally two lines spoken and no physical contact between the two characters, yet lasts for roughly 3 minutes.

A kiss in an elevator that happens at both the most unique point in time, and is followed by something so abrupt and opposite that you just don’t see it coming.  Also happens to be one of the top 5 kisses ever put on film in my humble opinion.

at least 10 minutes of driving throughout the film that is literally just normal driving with no dialogue and no action.  Also happens to be some of the best driving cinematography in film history.

If these scenes all sound very boring to you, then this film is certainly not for you.  I think the best way to describe it is a patient in critical condition being treated with a defibrillator.  Long sessions of nothing followed with quick and high intensity bursts of some of the craziest action out there.

in fact, this can possibly sum it up.  I saw this film with two girls, together, and these are their reactions.  One of them said at one point she almost fell asleep because of how quiet the film was, and that she has never seen a film that was so silent in her entire life.  She said she literally struggled to stay awake in several scenes.  She then said it’s one of her top 100 films she’s seen in her entire life and she loved it.  The other girl, on the other hand, said that this was the most brutal and violent film she has ever seen, outside of Inglorious bastards.  She then said she as well, loved it.

Two very different things touched both of these girls and yet they both loved it.  It’s just that kind of film.

If you’ve noticed I’ve stayed away from anything plot-wise, and there is a reason.  My personal feeling is that I was nervous through the entire film, wondering what would happen next.  there were scenes that were completely silent, for 5 minutes.  Nothing but the ticking of a watch, and I was so nervous the entire time, I couldn’t believe it.

I love this film.  I can’t endorse enough.  And if your question requires a simple yes or no answer as to wether or not you should see it, my answer is yes.  Yes and as soon as you can.  Not for children, not even close, but if you can get away from your kids if you have them, then do so, and see this film.