Drive
First screened in September 2011 / Most recently screened in January 2019
Director: Nicolas Winding Refn. Cast: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman, Kaden Leos, Christina Hendricks, James Biberi, Jeff Wolfe, Tim Trella, Jim Hart, Russ Tamblyn. Screenplay: Hossein Amini (based on the novel by James Sallis).

 Twitter Capsule: (2011) Python coiled around a gator. Lithe muscle. Violence as potential energy. Magnificent, though awe packs chaser of distaste.

Second Capsule: (2019) Taut and beguiling at first, especially with sound and mood. Odd but interesting scene-building. Second half is more hollow.

VOR: ④  Directorial chops, eccentricity of vision are major assets, until Refn starts drinking again at the usual wells of heinous violence and weirdness about women.


Photo © 2011 Film District

Not yet reviewed in full. Grade: B

(in September 2011: B+)
Academy Award Nominations:
Best Sound Editing: Lon Bender and Victor Ray Ennis

Golden Globe Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: Albert Brooks

Other Awards:
Cannes Film Festival: Best Director
New York Film Critics Circle: Best Supporting Actor (Brooks)
National Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor (Brooks)
Boston Society of Film Critics: Best Supporting Actor (Brooks); Best Use of Music (tie)
Chicago Film Critics Association: Best Supporting Actor (Brooks); Best Original Score (Martinez)
Satellite Awards: Best Director; Best Actor (Gosling); Best Supporting Actor (Brooks); Best Sound
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