RIP IT UP MOVIE CLUB: Is Drive The Best Film Of 2011?

Official Synopsis for Drive
Ryan Gosling stars as a Los Angeles wheelman for hire, stunt driving for movie productions by day and steering getaway vehicles for armed heists by night. Though a loner by nature, Driver can't help falling in love with his beautiful neighbor Irene (Carey Mulligan), a vulnerable young mother dragged into a dangerous underworld by the return of her ex-convict husband Standard (Oscar Isaac). After a heist intended to pay off Standard's protection money spins unpredictably out of control, Driver finds himself driving defense for the girl he loves, tailgated by a syndicate of deadly serious criminals (Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman). But when he realizes that the gangsters are after more than the bag of cash in his trunk-that they're coming straight for Irene and her son-Driver is forced to shift gears and go on offense.

So far this year we've had our fair share of super hero flicks (Green Lantern, Transformers 3, Captain America, and Thor) but for me my personal favorite of the year thus far isn't your typical hero film.

If anything it's a lot less 'super' and more 'anti-hero' but for the point of explaining why I loved the film so much I'm going to lump it in the hero category for this blog. The film in question being Ryan Gosling's latest, Drive.

I saw the film last night at my local and without sounding completely cliched, I haven't been able to stop thinking about it since. You know that feeling you get when you've just seen a movie where you can pretty much find next to zero holes, no plots fails and one you would happily pay to see again? For me Drive was that movie. I found myself sitting through all 100 minutes of the movie mesmerised by the story and beauty of the film, even despite the sometimes truly gruesome violence throughout. I even felt sad when the credits came up – not because of how it ended but simply because it had ended, I enjoyed it that much.

What appealed so much to me about Drive was the story of an unlikely hero clearly riddled with flaws, but when asked to stand up and do a righteous act chose to, despite the consequences of said act. Not surprisingly the allure of a beautiful girl (played brilliantly by Carey Mulligan) added to the desire in Drive. I'd 'stomp' to it too if that was the prize. (Note: I'm trying not to give away too much).

Here at Rip It Up we have a some what unhealthy obsession with Ryan Gosling. For the ladies here in the office his looks certainly add to the appeal (I can't argue either... he's a good looking man) but ultimately it's the talent the guy has at creating interesting characters that really compels us. His performance in Blue Valentine last year and Half Nelson a few years back have only added to the buzz about Gosling. Many have singled him out as the next Sean Penn or even the next Brando, and his performance in Drive only adds weight to those weighty claims. It really is a performance worthy of an Oscar nod and so far this year, you'd surely have to give him a chance next January.

Gosling is joined in Drive by an all star cast featuring Mulligan (An Education, Never Let Me Go), Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad, Malcolm In The Middle), Ron Pearlman (Hellboy) and the brilliant Albert Brooks (Broadcast News).

But ultimately the true star of the film is Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn. In Drive, Refn shows the utmost respect to the audience by not force feeding every single plot detail and each character's back story. He allows the viewer to piece together the elements systematically whilst still holding his cards close to his chest throughout, which only adds to the suspense. The visuals in Drive are nothing short of stunning and considering the film is based in Los Angeles (a location no stranger to the big screen) we see a new, beautiful side to the city of the stars not seen for a very long time.

I have no doubt Drive will become a true cult classic and rightly so. And with that I can boldly state this is my favorite film of 2011 thus far.


What are your favourite cult classic films?


By Luke Winslade