I always get these two mixed up! Especially when I just see a quick glimpse of them. When I study their features more carefully I can discern who is who, but sometimes I have to stop and think in my brain “okay… Michelle Williams = Blue Valentine, Brokeback Mountain, etc. and Carey Mulligan = An Education, Drive, etc.” They’re both equally talented and gorgeous women though!
By the way Carey Mulligan is on the left and Michelle Williams is on the right.
story beautiful, characters real, acting brilliant, sexual tension taut, violence shocking, soundtrack perfect, cinematography magical.
(Source: whereismyoscar)
I cannot fully express in words how freakin’ excited I was for this film! I never thought I’d get THIS excited for another film again after Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 (okay, I know that was like 2 months ago, but seriously!). I will say that it is odd, but really fortunate, that this film is getting such a wide release. I haven’t seen any advertisements for this movie online, on TV, in theaters, anywhere really. I never saw the green band trailer playing in front of any movies this year, I only saw the red band one online and I would actually recommend you not see that trailer because it kind of gives too much away. Then again, I was so captivated by the film that I never for a second found my attention drifting and thinking of what I saw in the trailer.
The amount of hype for this film has been unbelievable. The director Nicolas Winding Refn (the Pusher trilogy, Bronson) won the Best Director prize at the Cannes Film Festival, there’s the beyond stellar cast, and the film received glowing reviews coming out of Cannes, even earning a standing ovation from the crowd after the screening. It blew up RottenTomatoes, currently sitting at 93% with an 8.3 average rating. I had extraordinarily high expectations for this film and I am glad to say that it not only met them, but surpassed them.
Nicolas Winding Refn is truly a visionary director who should go down as one of the greatest directors of his generation. He has his own style and flair that separates him from the rest. I can’t remember the last time I was this enthralled during a chase scene. On a scant 13 million dollar budget, Refn manages to craft action/chase sequences that top movies with 150+ million dollar budgets.
I have to give consideration to the Director of Photography, Newton Thomas Sigel, as well because the film was flat out gorgeous. The way the shots are composed are simply spectacular. I don’t know how many ways I can say that this movie was a visual treat and amazing in every way.
The soundtrack is a highlight of the film as well. It seems as if every single music selection was done with a purpose and with the utmost care. The soundtrack enhances certain sequences and brings out the emotions of scenes without feeling manipulative. I’ve had the soundtrack on repeat since I got out of the movie. One of the best soundtracks I’ve heard in a while.
Ryan Gosling… he just might be my favorite actor right now. As the unnamed “Driver” in this film, he shows us a side that he’s never shown before. I wondered how an actor who is so used to playing charming pretty boys or more subtle characters would do as a bad ass. I’ve gushed about this man before, but he honestly never disappoints me and in Drive he puts in one of his best performances ever. And that’s not a statement to be taken lightly considering the impressive filmography he’s amassed to date. Ryan Gosling is not just another handsome face in the Hollywood crowd, he is what every actor should aspire to be, a true artist dedicated to his craft. I don’t think I’ve ever seen any actor play such a stoic and reserved character this way. Someone distant and unemotional, who can still remain likable and in an instant change gears and become the most frightening thing you’ve ever seen. My pull quote for Ryan Gosling in this film is that Gosling says more with one look than many actors are able to say in entire movies. I am not fucking kidding, he is THAT good. I simply love this man and I love his work, Ryan Gosling I FUCKING LOVE YOU!
The rest of the stellar cast does excellent work as well. Carey Mulligan is another one of those young actresses that is destined for greatness and her turn here is no exception. Bryan Cranston is just Bryan Cranston, and by that I mean he’s fucking awesome. This movie has Albert Brooks in it, HANK MOTHERFUCKIN’ SCORPIO BITCHES!!! Ron Perlman and Christina Hendricks have considerably less screentime but both are great in the little bits that they have. I will say that it was weird to see Christina Hendricks wearing modern clothing after watching so much Mad Men haha.
The movie is very understated and doesn’t hold your hand and outright explain every little detail or plot development. I always appreciate it when a movie doesn’t feel the need to explain everything, but at the same time doesn’t confuse the audience as well. There is just so much weight and importance packed into every single frame, each line of dialogue, or a simple gesture. I just love this damn movie so much!
I know there are people out there who probably wouldn’t like this movie because it doesn’t fit their taste or sensibilities as a movie goer, but I’m one of those crazy people who thinks that if a movie is great, everyone should see it. Despite the fact that there are still dozens of major releases left this year, I have no doubt that Drive will retain a spot in my top 10 for the year. Virtuoso direction from Nicolas Winding Refn, one of Ryan Gosling’s best performances to date, thrilling action/chase sequences, this movie has it all. I’m planning on seeing it again before it leaves theaters, maybe even multiple times. Do not miss this movie in theaters! You will regret it!
9.5/10
Currently working on my review of Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive. Amazing movie and a fantastic soundtrack. Loved the usage of this song! It’s called “A Real Hero” by College featuring Electric Youth.
I’ve posted this clip on my Tumblr before, but I’m posting again because DRIVE COMES OUT IN ONE WEEK!
I just finished An Education which came in from Netflix yesterday and that movie freaking blew me away. AMAZING movie, simply amazing. Definitely worthy of all the praise that it received, in my opinion it deserved more. There’s like so much of that movie that I want to talk about but I don’t want to spoil it so I won’t. But mannnnnnn… it just brings up some real world shit that makes you think. Class status struggles, material wealth, the importance of money, talent and how it’s used, and of course education itself. I love how the title of the film can play into so many different themes and interpretations. I’m seriously shocked that Peter Sarsgaard and Alfred Molina got no love from the Academy, and even more appalled at Sandra Bullock winning that fucking Oscar with people like Carey Mulligan and the other nominees in the running. Ugh… definitely go see An Education anyway that you can, it’s a brilliant film that should be seen by as many people as possible!
