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Nicolas Winding Refn's Drive (Gosling, Mulligan, Hendricks)

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Best movie I've seen in years. Just amazing all around.
My theater was sold out for the 8:00 showing last night and the 10:30 was packed.
That intro scene...goddam.
 
overcast said:
hPX6B.gif
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i expected as much, since i'm disagreeing with majority gaf.

i like the music in the movie, standalone in my headphones or in my car. thats not my beef with it. but during the movie i was dreading it every time it came on. it was so loud compared to the rest of the movie. it didnt help the story/mood/atmosphere of the film at all.

and dude was definitely a sociopath who turned into one during the course of the movie.

at first he was clean cut, on time, precise, anonymous and calculated. he got intensely mad at the guy at the bar who might pin him to a previous crime.

then he ends up walking around with blood on his jacket, kills people in broad day light and public places, and stands around like he has all the time in the world wearing a creepy stunt mask.
 
Bad_Boy said:
i expected as much, since i'm disagreeing with majority gaf.

i like the music in the movie, standalone in my headphones or in my car. thats not my beef with it. but during the movie i was dreading it every time it came on. it was so loud compared to the rest of the movie. it didnt help the story/mood/atmosphere of the film at all.

and dude was definitely a sociopath who turned into one during the course of the movie.

at first he was clean cut, on time, precise, anonymous and calculated. he got intensely mad at the guy at the bar who might pin him to a previous crime.

then he ends up walking around with blood on his jacket, kills people in broad day light and public places, and stands around like he has all the time in the world wearing a creepy stunt mask.
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Went perfectly with the scene it was played in
 
Solo said:
Does it really matter? Movie has made its money is going to drop like a rock from here on anyways, with or without a pirated copy out there.

And based on the last few posts, its a workprint leak anyways.
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Yes, it is. It has music from Angelo Badalamenti instead of Cliff Martinez.
 
Bad_Boy said:
i

at first he was clean cut, on time, precise, anonymous and calculated. he got intensely mad at the guy at the bar who might pin him to a previous crime.

then he ends up walking around with blood on his jacket, kills people in broad day light and public places, and stands around like he has all the time in the world wearing a creepy stunt mask.
Click to expand...

Thats one of the main things I liked about it, as soon as the husband turns up you can see hes litrally gritting his teeth in anger talking to him and then when the guy comes up to him in the diner he instantly gets enraged and you see it build up and up till the elevator scene.
 
don't get me wrong. i warmed up to the movie, and i like it. i "see" what they were going for.

but as for best movie of the year? LOL

but thats your opinion gaf, so i can't hate. glad you guys enjoyed it.
 
Bad_Boy said:
don't get me wrong. i warmed up to the movie, and i like it. i "see" what they were going for.

but as for best movie of the year? LOL

but thats your opinion gaf, so i can't hate. glad you guys enjoyed it.
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But by laughing out loud at it, aren't you in fact hating and inciting a negative reaction?
 
Bad_Boy said:
then he ends up walking around with blood on his jacket, kills people in broad day light and public places, and stands around like he has all the time in the world wearing a creepy stunt mask.
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That scene also had weird music and slo-mo associated with it. It helps to stop looking at this film as a completely realistic (sorta) action/crime thriller. There are a number of stylistic flourishes that should make it pretty obvious that this film isn't supposed to be steeped in realism.

He's got blood on his jacket as he goes to his trailer, on a movie set, to get the mask. I guess that explains why nobody batted an eye. He
killed Bernie
in broad daylight (in self defense). Same situation w/
the guys in the hotel
.

And he does it all not only to preserve his own life, but that of the girl that he loves. That's not a sociopath.

I can't even say that he's got a little psycho in him as every interview describes him as superhero of sorts. It's cool to speculate on his past and what he was into prior to us cutting in on this period of his life, but really he's a badass drifter who doesn't talk, you know nothing about, fucks people up if crossed, and wants to save the girl. You'll probably find a few long-winded deconstructions out there on the 'net (and some may make some valid points), but I think this is Driver at his core.
 
http://blogs.suntimes.com/scanners/2011/09/drive_an_under-the-hood_manual.html

I think that he's psychotic, but he's not a psychopath. He's a myth as well, you know? We tried to treat the film like a fairy tale, like Los Angeles is this fairy-tale land based on fantasies, and he's the knight in his mind and Irene [Carey Mulligan] is the damsel in distress. Bernie Rose [Albert Brooks] is the evil wizard, and Ron Perlman's [Nino] the dragon he needs to slay.
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Refn: In the book there's a back story but I eliminated all that because I wanted him to be mythological. He's a man of dreams and imagination. He is the classic hero who appears when we are in need of him. He's an enigma. I did a movie called "Valhalla Rising" where the lead character did not have a past either.
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I want to thank everyone in here who told me to watch this amazing movie. I fucking loved it, especially the soundtrack. Always been a big fan of 80's synth. Great movie.

Any other movies that have this sort of feel? I don't know how to explain the feel other than artistic and moody.
 
Bad_Boy said:
i expected as much, since i'm disagreeing with majority gaf.

i like the music in the movie, standalone in my headphones or in my car. thats not my beef with it. but during the movie i was dreading it every time it came on. it was so loud compared to the rest of the movie. it didnt help the story/mood/atmosphere of the film at all.

and dude was definitely a sociopath who turned into one during the course of the movie.

at first he was clean cut, on time, precise, anonymous and calculated. he got intensely mad at the guy at the bar who might pin him to a previous crime.

then he ends up walking around with blood on his jacket, kills people in broad day light and public places, and stands around like he has all the time in the world wearing a creepy stunt mask.
Click to expand...

Weird. I feel like it added to it tremendously.
 
the music was perfectly matched to the movie. say what you want about personal preference, but when music works it just does, and in this case this movie fired on all cylinders. i just got back from lunch with a friend and i wasn't sure if she even knew too much about it as i was mentioning i was going to try and be "driver" for halloween and she burst out with "i fucking loved that movie" and we then talked about it for like 45mins.

she made a great observation about the elevator kiss which I didn't pickup on. i saw the kiss as him acting on his desire for her along with a nice distraction for the guy with the gun. but she viewed it as he wanted to show her the good, sweet side of himself before he unleashed the rage he knew would turn her against him. little observations like this makes me love how we can see things differently. i have a better appreciation for his intentions in that scene now after hearing her take.

i am gonna watch it again sometime in the middle of the week, during the day, it should rock once again.
 
People seem to be praising the beginning scene. Are you talking about the entire car chase? I didn't think that part was that special..

PS. The bass in "A Real Hero" is vibrating my brain.
 
Ashhong said:
People seem to be praising the beginning scene. Are you talking about the entire car chase? I didn't think that part was that special..

PS. The bass in "A Real Hero" is vibrating my brain.
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i think that scene is fantastic because when it comes to an end, everything up till that point shows how great this guy is at what he does. the game being on TV, him listening to it on the radio and even turning it up louder than the police scanner. every move he made was deliberate and thought out to bide his time for the ultimate escape in the parking lot. i fucking loved that for an opening. then the amazing music and driving through the city kicks in. makes for a great start to an awesome movie.
 
Solo said:
The tracks are from current day. Like, most of 'em are from 2009.
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Doesn't mean the style isn't from the 80's.

edit: exactly what Mr Snrub said.


CFMOORE! said:
i think that scene is fantastic because when it comes to an end, everything up till that point shows how great this guy is at what he does. the game being on TV, him listening to it on the radio and even turning it up louder than the police scanner. every move he made was deliberate and thought out to bide his time for the ultimate escape in the parking lot. i fucking loved that for an opening. then the amazing music and driving through the city kicks in. makes for a great start to an awesome movie.
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Ah good point. I need to rewatch it.
 
Ashhong said:
I want to thank everyone in here who told me to watch this amazing movie. I fucking loved it, especially the soundtrack. Always been a big fan of 80's synth. Great movie.

Any other movies that have this sort of feel? I don't know how to explain the feel other than artistic and moody.
Click to expand...

I keep banging on about it to all my friends, hopefully they will go see it.
THe one question I cant seem to respond to well it "Whats it about?"

"well this guy that Drives... like as a getaway driver at night, stuntman/mechanic by day and he falls in love with his neighbor and then stuff gets crazy"
Is about the only way I can put it withought wanting to ruin the film!
 
CFMOORE! said:
i think that scene is fantastic because when it comes to an end, everything up till that point shows how great this guy is at what he does. the game being on TV, him listening to it on the radio and even turning it up louder than the police scanner. every move he made was deliberate and thought out to bide his time for the ultimate escape in the parking lot. i fucking loved that for an opening. then the amazing music and driving through the city kicks in. makes for a great start to an awesome movie.
Click to expand...

Agreed. The opening shot to the garage to the heist to the chase to the escape is scored perfectly with that "Tick of the Clock" track. Not sure if it was intentional or not but to me the track sounds like heart beat. And the beat never fluctuates..kinda like the Driver's calmness.
 
SilentProtagonist said:
So what's the verdict:
Silent badass or socially awkward psycho?
Looking back on a lot of the scenes, he handles himself very competently (like taking out the guys in the hotel, he's clearly done some killing before and seems to be good at it). But in social situations it's sometimes hard to tell if he's being coy or just awkward.
"Do you want a glass of water"
".. okay."
Things like that come off as socially awkward rather being calm and cool. I dunno.
Very interesting movie/character.
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Neither. Judging by his actions and perhaps his jacket, my theory is that Driver is a former gang member who moved West. He's trying to readjust being a driver (in many ways, so he doesn't get his hands dirty), but his violent past shows up during the course of the movie.
 
THE NO LIFE KING said:
WUMcJ.jpg


I'm looking for this poster now to buy. If anybody knows where I buy a NON REPRINT version of it. I appreciate it!!!!
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I would even take a reprint or the highest rez pic going so I can get one made up. All I seem t be able to buy is this one (which is still good but not my favorite)
drive_ver2.jpg
 
This movie was great. Really, really enjoyed it. The opening scene, the soundtrack, the cinematography, the dialogue (or lack thereof), the mystique of the Driver, everything. Has to be in my top 5 this year, probably top 3. I already want to rewatch it.
 
One more Refn movie and surely the Italians Do It Better label will get the cash to get more music out there right?

also: +1 to the not a sociopath. way too much love and too little manipulation for me.
 
midonnay said:
that scene in the elevator probably did it..... fuck that came out of nowhere.
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I saw a woman in front of me turn away after
the 6th kick to the face. And then many kicks later when it showed the dude's head explode I saw a lot more people turn away.
I kinda chuckled to myself.
 
Just got back from seeing it a 2nd time.....I still jumped a little from
the first shot after Standard leaves the pawn shop. Loud as hell, but effective

But the audience during my screening.....what the fuck? Why the hell would a big family (yeah, parents, kids, even an elderly adult) be watching this fucking movie? Did the kiddies not want to see Lion King for the umpteenth time or something? And the fact that they managed to come into the theater AT THE VERY MOMENT the movie starts and were talking on the way to their seats made it even more annoying. And they just happen to sit right behind too, FML. I would rant more about other annoyances during the movie, but you get the idea. And after the movie, one guy who wasn't part of the annoying but with a female companion found the movie to be boring. So yeah, the amount of silence in the film will definitely turn some people off.

Probably gonna see the movie a third time where, hopefully, the audience is less distracting/stupid
 
Easily one of the best movies I've seen this year. The soundtrack.... seriously considering it my #1 album of the year... it is just that good.

The film does everything right from the onset of the tension of the first job to the opening credits to the rabbit trail love story or rabbit trail stock car ambitions... take your pick, but what it does right is focus on the character, not the characters.

Drive seemingly could've been one of those movies where all of the sudden the cast around the driver could've overpowered each other but Goslings character is too peculiar to take your eyes off. The job heist scene camera work was so well done and so shocking (I think) that you don't know how to react. You sort of see it coming but then you realize after its played out that it really happened.

I'm picking up the Blu-ray for sure as this is going to be a cult classic. If you haven't seen it, go see it in the theater and give the movie some props for being one of the most engaging movies this year with the characters, soundtrack and visuals.
 
haha what? maybe Albert Brooks or Bryan Cranston, but Ryan Gosling was just your average silent badass.

I don't even think he was as good as Viggo Mortensen in History of Violence and that guy wasn't nominated for the oscar
 
Pctx said:
I'm picking up the Blu-ray for sure as this is going to be a cult classic. If you haven't seen it, go see it in the theater and give the movie some props for being one of the most engaging movies this year with the characters, soundtrack and visuals.
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I'm seriously a little pissed off that this had nearly everything that I've ever wanted to see in a film, but that, as an aspiring filmmaker, I didn't get to be the one to make it.

I'm still awfully glad that someone w/ Gosling's charisma and acting ability is actually into this sort of thing and isn't just taking the Hollywood route (and really never has).


Discotheque said:
haha what? maybe Albert Brooks or Bryan Cranston, but Ryan Gosling was just your average silent badass.
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Is the Brooks love just because he's never played a bad guy before? His performance wasn't that sick.

Cranston didn't get to say enough. Hell, nobody had much to say. If I'm being honest, nobody should be up for any lead or supporting actor noms, but Gosling's portrayal of the silent badass w/ the dark past stuck w/ me. The way he stares that dude down damn near until he completely leaves the diner after he starts talking to him about a new job, the way that he calmly asks Christina Hendrick's character about the pawn shop job, but with an undercurrent of "I know you're lying bitch, and I'm about to fuck you up...," and the way he exhibits a normally calm guy who's just about to fall off the deep end and destroy everyone in his way as he stands in the strip club hallway, clutching the hammer.

Gosling really is great at saying a ton w/ just his facial expressions, stares, smirks, etc.

I wouldn't be mad if he garnered a nomination.

EDIT: Now that I think about it, even Hendricks' acting in that scene was spot on. Everyone really seemed to play their part perfectly, but nobody (sans Gosling and Brooks) had enough to do really stand out.
 
Discotheque said:
haha what? maybe Albert Brooks or Bryan Cranston, but Ryan Gosling was just your average silent badass.

I don't even think he was as good as Viggo Mortensen in History of Violence and that guy wasn't nominated for the oscar
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Bryan Cranston? I dont know if you watch Breaking Bad and that is clouding your judgement, but no way did he put on a better performance than Gosling. I can't put my thoughts into words but Gosling was so much more than just a "silent badass" to me.
 
samdavis said:
I'm seriously a little pissed off that this had nearly everything that I've ever wanted to see in a film, but that, as an aspiring filmmaker, I didn't get to be the one to make it.

I'm still awfully glad that someone w/ Gosling's charisma and acting ability is actually into this sort of thing and isn't just taking the Hollywood route (and really never has).




Is the Brooks love just because he's never played a bad guy before? His performance wasn't that sick.

Cranston didn't get to say enough. Hell, nobody had much to say. If I'm being honest, nobody should be up for an lead or supporting actor noms, but Gosling's portrayal of the silent badass w/ the dark past stuck w/ me. The way he stares that dude down damn near until he completely leaves the diner after he starts talking to him about a new job, the way that he calmly asks Christina Hendrick's character about the pawn shop job, but with an undercurrent of "I know you're lying bitch, and I'm about to fuck you up...," and the way he exhibits a normally calm guy who's just about to fall off the deep end and destroy everyone in his way.

I wouldn't be mad if he garnered a nomination.
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I would love to see Ryan get something from this film as he did a fantastic job.
 
Bryan Cranston did a lot with his small part, it's not Breaking Bad that's clouding my judgement at all, what the hell. I think he's pretty good in that show but not a big fan of his performance this season.

But he played the part of a guy being stepped on his whole life very well, his face said everything in the diner scene with ron perlman and albert brooks. You don't really need too many lines to give a good performance.

I'm not really drinking the Gosling kool aid here, I thought he was menacing in the second half of the film but eh it wasn't anything too special. Like I said Viggo did it better in HOV imo.

edit: but that's kind of an unfair comparison. Viggo's facial expressions are amazing he can do so much with so little sometimes, the dude's like a muppet, or silent film actor.
 
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