I didn’t get to see all of the movies that I wanted to in 2011. But of the ones I saw, these were my favorites, from #10 to #1. I originally wanted to use video clips for this montage, but decided to find screenshots that could serve as teasers for the movies. I was amazed by the fact that most of these movies contained several scenes in which the characters would stare into the distance. I enjoy solitude to a great degree, and I guess I enjoy seeing characters who also seem enjoy it.
Drive is a fun movie but not in the traditional sense. It has some action and humor in it, but it’s probably not done in a way that you’d expect. If you’ve never seen a movie by Nicolas Winding Refn, I really don’t think that this should be your first. Go watch Bronson and the Pusher movies first. Then, try to sit through the strange experience that is Valhalla Rising. Then, rent a few movies by Takeshi Kitano, like Hana-bi, Sonatine, or Brother. See if you can sit through a movie that is mostly made up of beautiful shots that linger on actors’ faces or landscapes for minutes at a time and interrupted by brutal violence and visceral action. Are you ok with just sitting there with a character who is choosing to say something without words? I ask these questions because the audience I was with was not ready for this movie. And I’m not saying that this specific style is necessarily a good thing. But I am saying that I loved it.
There are maybe four main scenes of actual driving. One is very procedural and precise. One is leisurely and dreamlike. The next is thrilling. And the last is brutal and to the point.
The violence in this movie made me cringe for the first time in years. It is vicious, sudden, and very realistic. It is not glorified in any way, or even overly stylized. Every death has a specific reason for existing, even in the way the killing is done. I guarantee that you will feel something during these scenes, even if you think you are completely desensitized.
The acting is decent to very good. Albert Brooks was the standout for me, and Oscar Isaac is quickly becoming one of my new favorite supporting actors. The soundtrack and score felt like they belonged in an old Michael Mann movie, which I really enjoyed.
Drive was a big mix of various sensations for me. It doesn’t feel like it belongs in today’s movie landscape, and I say that as a compliment. Nicolas Winding Refn is definitely making a name for himself by being a director who doesn’t seem to follow many filmmaking conventions, and I think I’m ok with that.
And I have no idea if you will like it. I guess you’ll have to see for yourself.
Going to watch a movie
in the theater for the first time in a while. Hoping that Drive turns out to be as good as the buzz has been. I’m really excites to see it.
