Do You Know What Movie Rules? Drive Starring Ryan Gosling. Here’s Why I Think People Should Rewatch This 2011 Gem

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In the previous year, Ryan Gosling took on the role of a stuntman in a film titled “The Fall Guy“. Although critics generally appreciated it, the movie didn’t quite set the box office alight.

Despite the fact, it was quite enjoyable and had a surprising plot twist. However, I wouldn’t categorize it among Ryan Gosling’s top performances. If you’re asking about one of his finest films, I’d recommend “Drive” from 2011. In this movie, Gosling portrays another character, not unlike a stuntman, but it’s not an action-comedy like “The Fall Guy”. Instead, it’s a dramatic action film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn.

Initially, after its premiere, there was much buzz surrounding the movie “Drive“. Yet, these days, I seldom overhear conversations about it, such as “Hey, remember that great movie ‘Drive‘?” which leaves me a bit puzzled since I believe it’s a truly remarkable film. I can’t help but feel it deserves the same level of acclaim as other exceptional movies like “Pulp Fiction“, “Heat“, and “The Town“. Here’s why I think so…

Ryan Gosling Is Always Cool, But He’s Never Been Cooler Than He Is As The Driver

Is it not fascinating how enigmatic Ryan Gosling’s character in “Drive” is, going by the moniker ‘The Driver’ instead of having a personal name? In contrast to my initial thoughts on the protagonist in “Tenet” being named ‘The Protagonist’, I find it intriguing that Gosling’s character remains so shrouded in mystery without even a given name. Instead, he is merely identified by his role.

I’m truly fascinated by this individual! By day, he’s a Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic, but at night, he transforms into a getaway driver. His double identity radiates an air of toughness that leaves one pondering which profession carries more risk: bravely executing death-defying stunts during the day or engaging in nocturnal activities associated with criminal pursuits?

In essence, before interacting with his neighbor Irene (played by Carey Mulligan) and her son, he maintains a harmonious relationship with his auto shop owner friend Shannon (portrayed by Bryan Cranston). However, it’s through Shannon that he eventually links up with a mobster, played by Albert Brooks, and his partner, portrayed by Ron Perlman.

The issue arises when the neighbor, played by Oscar Issac, draws The Driver into a robbery after a third party endangers Irene and her child. In an attempt to safeguard them, The Driver becomes entangled, leading him on a path from which he can’t escape once set in motion.

In this picture, Ryan Gosling exudes an incredibly cool demeanor. He dons a white jacket adorned with a scorpion, and his composure when taking lives is almost tranquil. His dialogue in the movie is scarce, yet there’s always a sense of enigma surrounding him. To put it simply, Gosling has always been cool, but he’s never been cooler than as The Driver, emanating a unique blend of mystery and charisma.

The Soundtrack Is Insanely Good And Perfectly Fits The Film

To be completely honest, a key factor behind my consistent memory of this film is undoubtedly its exceptional soundtrack. The music comes from Johnny Jewel, while the score is composed by Cliff Martinez, making it quite unforgettable.

Among my top five favorite film scores ever, “Drive” holds a special place, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with masterpieces like “Apocalypse Now”, the remarkable debut “Reservoir Dogs”, “There Will Be Blood”, and the iconic “Midnight Cowboy”.

I find myself deeply drawn to it because it seems somewhat out of place for the movie. Yet, it fits and doesn’t at the same time. Allow me to clarify: Although this film is set in contemporary times (it first appeared in 2011), it carries a strong ’80s synth atmosphere, much like the video game “Hotline Miami,” which was released a year later. This contrasts sharply with the story’s events but also enhances them beautifully.

Indeed, it’s hard to find another soundtrack as uniquely fitting yet seemingly incongruous. This film, with its dark and violent action scenes, pairs surprisingly well with a cheerful, vintage synth electronic score that seems like an odd fit, but somehow works harmoniously instead.

The film wouldn’t be nearly as impressive without its exceptional soundtrack – the music truly makes it shine.

The Movie Also Has Style For Days

Although I’ve brought up Reservoir Dogs in this piece earlier on, one director who has left a lasting impression on me is Quentin Tarantino. His unique filmmaking approach is unmistakable and serves as his signature, much like a distinctive seal or emblem. In essence, a director’s style becomes their brand, something that sets them apart from others in the industry. It’s what makes them an auteur – when you watch a movie, you can instantly recognize it as a work of Stanley Kubrick, for instance.

In essence, Nicolas Winding Refn is a director whose work I find elusive. The film Drive, with its captivating characters and dialogue that’s as chilling as it is clever (“Have you ever heard the tale of the scorpion and the frog?”), along with its vibrant visuals underpinned by subdued tones, exudes an art-house charm that’s hard to resist.

While you’re considering, it’s worth noting that the film released before this one by Refn was a stark contrast – the grim and somber “Valhalla Rising.” Yet, they couldn’t be more dissimilar. Watching these two films consecutively is intriguing because it showcases the diversity in Refn’s work. However, I’m veering off topic here.

This movie’s stylishness isn’t solely attributed to its visual appeal, but also the way the characters behave. For instance, Christina Hendricks portrays a thief, yet she exudes such a nonchalant charm. Similarly, Albert Brooks plays a Jewish-American mobster, and he doesn’t opt for a simple shooting death for Cranston’s character. Instead, he inflicts a more intricate wound by slicing Shannon’s arm with a razor, causing him to bleed out.

This movie stands out with its distinct blend of various elements that give it an unparalleled, one-of-a-kind, and artistic quality.

The Heist-Gone-Wrong Storyline Is Simple, But Effective

I want to say that at its heart, Drive is a love story, but it’s really not.

This narrative revolves around an unsuccessful heist, made intriguingly straightforward and impactful as previously discussed. In the storyline, The Driver develops an unusual bond with his neighbor, Irene. However, their budding friendship is disrupted when Irene’s husband returns from prison and finds himself in a bind, ultimately leading to a pawn shop robbery.

In order to shield Irene, The Driver functions as an escape driver for her spouse. However, things soon take a turn for the worse, leading him into trouble with individuals linked to the robbery.

It’s a relatively simple story, but the music, style, and acting make it feel more than just that.

Instead of turning out predictable or dull, the narrative transformed into something captivating, leading me to my final thought about why it’s worth watching (or re-watching) this film.

Overall, It’s Just A Memorable Masterpiece

Many times, I find that movies don’t add up to more than their individual elements. While I may appreciate specific components of a film, when looking at it as a complete piece, it seems incomplete or lacking something essential.

The film may not be poor quality, but it lacks certain elements that prevent it from reaching its full potential for excellence. Essentially, it’s not an exceptional masterpiece like Sinners, as its various components don’t seem perfectly aligned.

To be sure, the film “Drive” truly deserves a perfect score of 10 out of 10. The characters, ambiance, soundtrack, plot, and every other detail make an indelible impression. It’s disheartening to see that it seems to have slipped from public discourse these days.

Absolutely! It was released in 2011, and a lot has evolved since then. However, one thing remains unchanged – my belief that this film is an absolute masterpiece. I firmly stand by that assertion.

What do you think? Have you ever seen Drive? If so, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

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2025-07-23 12:09