Drive *****

Director: Nicolas Winding Refn

Year: 2011

Book by: James Sallis

Adapted by: Hossein Amini

Cinematographer: Newton Thomas Sigel

First off, let me say... this film 100% earned the Cannes Best Director prize.

If I could interview Refn, my first question would be, in the t-bone scene by the cliff, why does driver's car not suffer a scratch? Its headlights are clearly in perfect shape?

I ask the question not to nitpick, but rather because I really believe Refn may have a reason.

I loved this movie sooo much. It's L.A., it's crime, it's noir with neon, crystal-clear photography, its Tarantino, Jodorowsky, and 80's b-movie... its "european" as one character comments about his car chase films of the 80's.

When the credits ran, the guy in front of my jumped up and said with a sigh of frustration, "well that was slow..."

No. It was tight film-making. Less dialogue, more action. Actors here are left to emote with their faces and bodies, and characters are developed by the actions they perform, rather than words explaining how they feel. Refn shows rather than tells.

He sets up the driver's badass skills in the opening scene and then builds relationships, with sexual tension so thick you could cut it with a knife, although everyone stays fully clothed and there is only one kiss in the entire movie. THATS WHAT I'M TALKING ABOUT! Gosling and Mulligan simmer with just smiles, and its sexier than anything I've seen on film in a long time.

It's quiet, it breathes, and the sound design is as precisely expressive as the photography. Then all of a sudden, it explodes with a gun shot, initiating a third act full of shocking violence that impacts the audience as much as the characters. Violence here actually matters. Yes its gory, but not without consequence or weight. We feel, as Driver and Irene feel, the loss and the shock of death...

I absolutely loved this film, I would be surprised if I see any other film this year that I'll like more, yes, even Tree of Life... which I can't wait to see, but I'm thinking Drive will go down as THE FILM of 2011.