Nicolas Winding Refn’s stylish slice of genre filmmaking dazzles on 4K-Steelbook
It’s been well over a decade since Drive hit out screens. A moody, pulsating film that didn’t just solidify the star credentials of Ryan Gosling, but the flair of it’s director Nicolas Winding Refn (The Neon Demon, Only God Forgives). The film, written by Hossein Amini and James Sallis, centers on the titular Driver (Gosling), a stunt man who lives a second life working as a getaway driver. A nightly flirtation with danger on the streets of LA contrasts with a quieter home life, one that is shaken up after he forms a bond with a woman named Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son, who live in his apartment building. When her husband (Oscar Issac) is released from prison, he brings with him a whole heap of problems, notably a long-standing debt. Stepping in to assist in a robbery to pay this off, the Driver quickly finds that his care for Irene has plunged him into the double-dealing of the LA crime underworld, and rather than freeing them from danger, find themselves in deeper trouble.
Through the neo-soaked streets, back alleys, basements, and clubs of LA, Drive is a truly pulsating affair. Grit and texture fill every corner, a heist gone wrong plot that grips the attention, and in this brooding central character, an undeniable magnetic pull into this world. The plot is a captivating, neo-noir thriller, and while somewhat familiar, the execution, mood, and look of the film is anything but. Verdant in aesthetic, stylish to the point of being overly saturated, a hinted at by a vibrant splash of pink adorning the title credits IT’s not just the look, but the feel of the film. The editing, speed, camera angles, sound design and soundtrack (utterly stellar picks) all add to a dynamic, propulsive feel. The protagonist and those he encounters add to a chaotic air, notably when things go sour and the Driver has to improvise or react. From quickfire car getaways, down to the human interactions too. These creeping threats into his personal life bring out a primal response from this quietly spoken, methodical man. To protect and attack. These switches come effortlessly from Gosling, which only adds to their shock value, underscored by his persisting allure. It’s also a breakout performance for Carey Mulligan, with a character who in less deft hands could be all too helpless, here she conveys both the vulnerability and allure to understand the Driver’s investment. Adding to the mix are notable faces, such as Albert Brooks, Ron Pearlman, Bryan Cranston, Oscar Issacs, and Christina Hendricks, who all exude their own sense of charm, gravitas, and danger, and add welcome texture to these various corners and layers of this criminal world.
All together, the elements of the film disturbs and delights in equal measure. A seductive mix of style and brutality. What does standout as being an essential part of the films balance and success is it’s exploration of loneliness. It’s a tinge of sadness that adds a rather poetic quality to the whole film, elevates it, while meshing perfectly with its hyperstyilized look, and punched up levels of violence. Just an iconic piece of filmmaking.
The Package
The release stands out as it comes housed within the ever-popular steelbook format. In this case, a tin adorned with new artwork by Matthew Brazier.
Inside are both 4K and Blu-ray copies of the movie. The 4K is the focus, showcasing the UHD version. Films from Nicolas Winding Refn are visually resplendent affairs and should be showcases for the 4K format. Thankfully, the image quality for Drive is pretty stunning. Even in the darkest sequences, the coloring, contrast, and level of detail impresses. Definition is sharp, and there are no signs of artifacts or crushing. Refn’s use of color and neon could tilt a film’s color balance off, but the transfer here handles it with aplomb. There are reports that the Second Sight release of Drive is even better, but to these eyes, Sony’s release is very nicely done. Across the discs are a host of legacy extra features, and an all new addition:
- NEW: Back in the Driver’s Seat: featuring interviews with Writer Hossein Amini, Editor Mat Newman, Composer Cliff Martinez, and Actors Christina Hendricks and Ron Perlman: A nice look back of the film with some notable names drawn on to offer a retrospective view on the making of the film and its legacy
- Theatrical Trailer
- Drive Without a Driver: A 25 minute overview on the film, hosted by Refn, that gets into much of his creative process, intent, and reflections on the feature
- I Drive: Just over 5 minutes, and a brief look at the story and central character, and the storytelling that stems from the script and direction
- Driver and Irene: A short dive into the quite love story that serves as the films core
- Under the Hood: ~12 minute featurette on the cast/characters
- Cut to the Chase: An all too short look at the stunt work in the film
The Bottom Line
Drive is muscular and moody filmmaking. An enthralling thriller married to an emotionally provocative composition. It solidified both the vison and talents of Refn, as well as the sheer charisma that Gosling brings to the big screen. This new 4K-steelbook release from Sony is a reminder that Drive remains as bold and dynamic as the day it was released.
Drive on 4K-UHD Steelbook is available via Sony Pictures Home Entertainment from August 27th
