Drive

[moeez]

Can we be expecting one?

It's a much-hyped film, and getting loads of rave reviews. Plus, some of us have seen it and would like to see the crew's opinions on it, since it could be a little divisive with its arthouse nature (Alex might hate it) which could lead to an interesting debate.

[wideawakewesley]

Film of the year, without a doubt

[michelleminton]

Originally Posted by heyseuss

The trailer has one of the worst stunts I've ever seen in it. Overall the trailer makes it uninteresting to me, but the specific part I'm talking about is during a fight in front of an elevator door. Looks like it's the actor's fault. Very unnatural looking physical hand-to-hand combat stuff. Looks like pro wrestling. I'm just anal about unrealistic fight choreography in general. Even when it's well executed, much of Hollywood's interpretation of fighting is unrealistic, which I expect and accept, but this was just horribly executed, on top of being an already ridiculous move.

Saw it last night and it's definitely worth your time and money. Yes, there are quite a few tropes the movie plays on--but that is really the point. The director plays on the innocent love stories from the 80s (think 16 candles) and the heroism of fairy tale heroes but shows what it would be like in real life.

The style is fantastic, the character of Gosling is definitely and archetype [not even given a name] but his experience and motivations...er his drive are portrayed with such graceful quietness this movie, unlike any other for me, evokes such wonderful horrible and oddly uplifting emotions.

Don't watch trailers, don't listen to reviews, just go see it. For those who have already seen the film, I highly recommend listening to this interview with Nicholas Winding Rifin http://www.kcrw.com/etc/programs/tt/...as_winding_ref

[rokov]

I finally saw it and I'm not really sure whether I liked it or not. The story and script were really good and most of the performances were solid (Brooks and Cranston were brilliant). On the other hand, I think that it tried a little too hard to be artsy/moody, the music was distracting and, at times, overbearing and I really didn't like Gosling's monotone performance and delayed reactions. That was probably a choice on either his part or the director's instead of being a case of bad acting, but I just didn't get it. Also, the setting was a bit confusing. Judging from the cars and cell phones it was obviously set in the present, but it had a very '80s, Vice City feel to it. I may have to see it again eventually to really make up my mind about it. If nothing else, it was definitely interesting.

[bubba-mudd]

Originally Posted by rokov

I finally saw it and I'm not really sure whether I liked it or not. The story and script were really good and most of the performances were solid (Brooks and Cranston were brilliant). On the other hand, I think that it tried a little too hard to be artsy/moody, the music was distracting and, at times, overbearing and I really didn't like Gosling's monotone performance and delayed reactions. That was probably a choice on either his part or the director's instead of being a case of bad acting, but I just didn't get it. Also, the setting was a bit confusing. Judging from the cars and cell phones it was obviously set in the present, but it had a very '80s, Vice City feel to it. I may have to see it again eventually to really make up my mind about it. If nothing else, it was definitely interesting.

You've hit the nail on the head *ahem*, especially with Gosling's performance. I didn't like his acting at all. I didn't understand his silences and some of his expressions. He'd do these weird half grins/half smirks that seemed out of place. It just seemed off. While I liked the film overall, I didn't think it lived up to the hype one bit. Jeff's review mentioned that it was similar to a Tarantino film really "2012'd" me. Really?!? In what way did it reach the level of Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Inglourious Basterds? This movie certaintly didn't have nowhere near Tarantino's dialogue acumen.

Albert Brooks, on the other hand, was wonderful. His performance was second to none. I enjoyed watching his character. Definitely against type for him.

I recommend people watch it, but don't go in thinking it'll knock your socks off, at least it didn't for me.


*** SPOILER-ISH???**************
How did Gosling's character turn from a wheelman into this badass, one man army? Did I miss something? It seemed so out of place.

Oh, and the ending sucked. Just sayin'.
*** SPOILER-ISH???**************

[stubadub]

Originally Posted by bubba-mudd

*** SPOILER-ISH???**************
How did Gosling's character turn from a wheelman into this badass, one man army? Did I miss something? It seemed so out of place.

Oh, and the ending sucked. Just sayin'.
*** SPOILER-ISH???**************

Just because we are introduced to him as an extremely capable driver doesn't mean that is the only thing he is capable of accomplishing. There is plenty of indication that he has a troubled past that he's escaped from when he mysteriously arrives at Shannon's doorstep. We don't need to see specifically what happened in his past to know that he's done terrible things and is completely capable of taking care of business. The present informs us of his past and makes clear what he is.

One of my favorite moments is the elevator scene when she comes to realize who he is in the same way we did, and the doors literally close on their potential relationship.

I've made comparisons to Pulp Fiction myself. It's obviously not because it matches beats with Tarantino's dialogue. It's because much like that film, this is a crime film composed of existing elements from other films that manages to feel completely fresh in spite of it, that has strength in nearly all the elements of the film, and that I feel completely drawn to experience over and over again. This film feels like it belongs in the "Special" section of my personal movie collection alongside the Pulp Fictions and Boogie Nights and No Country for Old Mens.

Obviously film is a "to each their own" type of experience, but I thoroughly enjoyed all these elements that people have mentioned in complaint. The soundtrack had me hooked from the opening of the film until the credits ended. I've found myself listening to it over and over again since the film.

I thought Gosling's performance was an absolute knock out. So much is conveyed by an extended silence broken only by a slight smile. "That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence." I couldn't agree with Mrs Mia Wallace any more.

[tsmith15]

I thought it was fun finding out how much Driver could do during the movie. If we knew what he was capable of ("he's ex-special forces" is in way too many movies) then it wouldn't be as much fun seeing him get progressively more badass and violent.

As for the ending, I loved it, but I see why some people wouldn't like it.

[primedawg]

if the michael mann, the coen brothers, and tarantino had a gang bang with sophia coppela

driver would be its basterd child

its an ok movie

movie of the year is going to far

any movie where they use "the frog and the scorpion" story and the main character happens to be wearing a scorpion jacket throughout out the whole movie makes me shake my head

we get it dude where not that stupid

so many little things in the movie that dont make since.

[bubba-mudd]

Originally Posted by stubadub

"That's when you know you've found somebody special. When you can just shut the fuck up for a minute and comfortably enjoy the silence." I couldn't agree with Mrs Mia Wallace any more.

This is a perfect example of the point I was trying to make. I can rattle off tons of lines from Pulp Fiction, whole scenes, from a movie made close to 20 years ago, but I can't recall one memorable line from a movie I saw two days ago. That's a hallmark of a great film, imho. When someone says it similar to a Tarantino film, that's what I expect; exceptional dialogue, stylish scenes, humor, great performances and violence. This movie had the violence and some great performances, but its nowhere near the ballpark of Pulp Fiction. "Its not even the same motherfuckin' sport." I couldn't agree more Jules.

PS - you're right on the money about films as "to each their own," but I felt another opinion should be expressed about comparisons to Tarantino. I had certain expectations because of that comparison that were not fulfilled.

[stubadub]

Originally Posted by bubba-mudd

This is a perfect example of the point I was trying to make. I can rattle off tons of lines from Pulp Fiction, whole scenes, from a movie made close to 20 years ago, but I can't recall one memorable line from a movie I saw two days ago. That's a hallmark of a great film, imho.

"What do you get out of it? " "Just that, out of it."
Alright, I gave you one.

But that doesn't really matter IMO. Great dialogue is certainly a trait that I favor in film, but it isn't a requirement for me to think a film is great.

When I read that I tried to think of a few examples of films that are great without the use of clever dialogue. The first two that popped into my head were There Will Be Blood and Wall-E. The first 30 minutes of Blood and the first half of Wall-E are completely captivating and almost entirely without dialogue. In fact, Wall-E would be an even better film if the second half had never occured. You can achieve cinematic greatness without ever uttering a word.

Two other movies come to mind that I've seen in the last year that are not about clever dialogue, Enter the Void and The Tree of Life. If you go in expecting the Madonna Speech from Reservoir Dogs you are going to be disappointed. Like you with Drive, I have trouble remembering any lines from those films (other than "I've got a gun!" idiotically shouted from the bathroom in Enter the Void), yet both of them have had very strong lives in my memory since seeing them months ago (or a year in Void's case). I can't think of many films in the last few years that have affected me the way they have. I've seen both only once, and yet I find myself thinking about them with surprising regularity. For me that's a hallmark of a great film. To be so affected by the experience that you couldn't forget it if you tried. That's what's happened with you (and me) with the Pulp Fiction dialogue. It has burned it's way into our brains and won't let go.

And that's what Drive has done with me. I keep reliving the incredible opening chase sequence, the shocking deaths, him staring into her eyes as the elevator door closes, the music, the lighting, the images of his leather gloves clutching the wheel, his moments with the kid, him holding the hammer into the air, etc. Witty dialogue wasn't required for those moments to work. I can't forget any of it, nor would I.

Anybody know where I can buy one of those Scorpion jackets?

PS. For the record I can understand hearing Tarantino and Pulp Fiction mentioned and having the wrong expectations. I'm probably fortunate that I saw it early on and had no ideas about the movie other than "buzz says it's worth watching"