"Drive" - 2011

"Drive"

Written by Hossein Amini

Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

"Drive" is not an action movie, but a quiet character study that's not afraid to get loud on occasion, or a little bloody, when it's called for. Ryan Gosling, who plays our hero "The Driver", is turning into one of my favorite actors. The Driver is a man who is all-but-dead inside, and his eyes show it.  Except when he's spending time with Irene and her young son.  That's when he lets a brief smile shine through, that's when his face suddenly lights up with life.  But then the world comes calling (as it always does).  All smiles disappear.  All that is light becomes dark once again. It is one amazing performance, and it's not the only one. 

Carey Mulligan's Irene is as damaged as The Driver, but at least she's got her son to hold onto. Nobody plays likable desperation better than Bryan Cranston, a garage owner and stunt coordinator who does his best to look out for The Driver. Or does he? And Albert Brooks...well, whatever you're expecting, forget it. Just enjoy him and his shoulda-been-an-Oscar-contender performance. 

And enjoy "Drive" for what it is: a quiet, dark, and moody modern day noir.

**** out of five