Drive

A New Take on the Scorpion and the Frog

By: Kara Maltby

Unexpected. If one word could be used to describe Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn's neo noir crime thriller, this would be it. What one might have expected upon viewing the film's trailer, if unfamiliar with Refn's past work, did not even begin to describe what ended up on screen. From the film's retro 80's feel to the sparse gruesome violence, Drive does not disappoint those with an open mind and a tough stomach. It sure proved to be quite a hit at the Cannes Film Festival in 2011 where it received a standing ovation and Refn walked away with the Best Director Award.

Ryan Gosling plays the surprisingly silent role of "Driver" in this new take on the story of the scorpion and the frog, referenced by the scorpion on the back of Driver's jacket. Gosling plays a mysterious Hollywood stuntman and getaway driver for criminals whose past is never given to the viewer. The film opens with one of Driver's getaways set to seemingly incongruous techno music from Johnny Jewel. Driver is implied to be a loner until he helps his young neighbor Irene and her son Benicio, falling for her immediately. 

Soon enough, Driver discovers Irene is married and her husband, Standard, arrives home from prison not long after he befriends the mother and son. Driver wind up offering his driving and getaway assistance to Standard, unknowingly putting himself in more danger than he expected.When the plan starts falling apart, the sudden violent bloodshed begins, leaving the squeamish viewer minimal time to look away.

This amusing display of Gosling's character's opposing personalities leaves the viewer questioning Driver's motives and thought-process as the plot so interestingly lacks his full character development. This storyline tactic is slightly reminiscent of older Eastwood and western films involving the "man with no name" plot. The end of the film even leaves plot holes and questions unanswered when Driver and Irene part ways and he is seen driving away listening to music while he bleeds uncontrollably, leaving the viewer wondering whether he will live through this last drive.

Although this film is not for everyone, especially the weak of stomach, it is filled with superb performances from Gosling, Mulligan, Cranston, and Brooks, just to name a few. One must decide upon viewing whether the retro and gory aspects of the film either enhance the thriller or seem too far out of place. Either way, the film is worth seeing and, in my opinion, a strategic and aesthetically pleasing success.

Written by Hossein Amini and directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

Starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, and Albert Brooks