Dave Ramsbottom said: First off, great choice of film. Crackin’ way to get things going and hopefully the bar will remain that high. Often my cinema outings are far more mainstream and this felt very left field.
Its real strength was the cinematography and direction. There were some beautiful transitions from close-ups etc. and the pace of the film was extremely important given that perhaps the main supporting character of the film was in fact the car/s. The ambient use of car engine noises was great and things like him pulling up to traffic lights when she told him the husband was getting out of jail really hit the spot for me.
The actors were all rightly understated when they needed to be, and I especially enjoyed the guy from ‘Malcom in the Middle’ as Shelly, the mentor/opportunist.
If I were to be critical I would say that Ryan Goslings character could have had slightly more depth; Where was he from? Why did he know cars? Why could he have it in him to kick a guys head in etc but I think perhaps that information would have required a longer film and I thought the length was perfect as it was.
Ash Freeman said: 8.5/10 I think I was the most overwhelmed out of all of us, since I decided to order the soundtrack on my short walk from the bus stop last night.
I felt the sounds were as good and important as the visuals, and I think that Danish Director Nicolas Winding Refn is now one of my fav’s. Was also thinking the same thing as you in regards to Ryan’s character, and not just what gave him the inclination, but also the skills to kill those guys. Clearly had no fear of death or injury (stunt driver, criminal etc) and I suspect the reason for this would all be revealed in the book (which can be found on Amazon, starting at £3.19).
My only criticism would be the mob-like heavies who were a little too stereotypical and so lacked originality – unlike the rest of the film.
A strong 8.5 out of 10 from me, best I’ve seen for a while and prob my favourite of the year.
Jeremy Starling said: 7.67865/10 I loved it. Unusual, classy, unpredictable, great visuals and sound and I found The Driver (what was his name?) fascinating. Dreamt about it
The action and horror sequences were spot on and I loved the juxtaposition (good word for a move review) of calmness with sudden violence.
One of the more unique films I’ve seen for ages, definitely for the DVD collection.
I thought it was a bit slow in places and I am still not sure how he was connected to every single character
8.5/10 This really was a great one, wasn't it? Overall seemed like a short story played in slow motion in times. Referring to what you guys said about not knowing much background on any of the characters - I think I liked that. It kept pace but wasn't Hollywood dumb. It also kept the characters intriguing. You almost had to question every one of the characters. You just never knew which way they could go so it kept even simple scenes on edge.
Again, Gosling was killer. He's got to be one of the most real actors out there. Possibly due to lack of over exposure. We'll see though. 'The Driver' character was great. The 'hero'/'niceguy'/'human' are all there but highly questionable. The fact that he rarely spiked either way emotionally really is uneasy to watch. Those are always the most dangerous people. Even though his ability for violence was severe, for some reason I definitely still liked him and could even sympathise. It's the normal, every day, soft-spoken (Canadian) guy that in a second can snap and stomp a dudes head in. (Just don't mention customer service!) :o). Little things like the squeaking of the leather gloves when he made a fist and the tensing of the jaw bone were like the tip of the dorsal fin, weren't they? SO effective but understated! Dave - just like you mentioned with the rev of the engine.
Even the majority of the supporting cast were equally intriguing and great. We had so little on Standard, for instance, and yet there was a lot there. It was the pace of the film, minimal (but punchy) dialogue and great acting that did it I think. The only dissapointment for cast came with Ron Perlman as Nino. I completely agree Ash, it was too textbook. He was acting like actors. Shame too because for some reason I like Perlman. This role makes me wonder why though. I had less of an issue with Albert Brookes as Bernie though. I thought he added a dynamic element to the baddie. Again, he seemed fairly normal and on that similar 'even' as Gosling did but when he goes he goes. I thought the little peeks we got of characters (for instance when we see his blade collection) nicely sums up how to get the most out of a character without 'telling' the viewer anything. Bernie seemed so straight-forward and rational really. He just told it like it was and was so 'human' in killing Shannon. Almost as gentlemanly like as it gets. During a handshake.
The overall look of the film was quite nice but understated for what I was expecting. I thought it would be more 'neon of LA' but it really kept it quite dark and local. I actually liked the nods to the 80's and didn't think I would. Maybe he was actually able to reference but not stereotype. Elements like the music and hot pink 'Mistral' typeface really packaged the film nicely. The soundtrack was great. Opening credits feel like we're walking into a modern day Scarface. When I think about it, I loved Pacino as Montana and the thought of a re-make always bothered me. But seeing Gosling as 'The Driver' makes me wonder what an actor that was a bit darker and not so over-the-top might do with a role like Montana. How scary could that be?
Absolute wicked start guys. This really could be my contender for film of the year as well. When you really think about it - amazing how much Winding Refn packed into 100 minutes. Amazingly walked the line between fast-paced, Hollywood and moody, art-house.
Excellent film, killer soundtrack, with great subtle effects and two amazing slowmo scenes. Gosling plays the complex protagonist perfectly. Undoubtedly one of the best films I've seen in years.
Now all I have to do is find out where I can pick up a cool scorpion jacket!?
Dave Ramsbottom said:
ReplyDeleteFirst off, great choice of film. Crackin’ way to get things going and hopefully the bar will remain that high. Often my cinema outings are far more mainstream and this felt very left field.
Its real strength was the cinematography and direction. There were some beautiful transitions from close-ups etc. and the pace of the film was extremely important given that perhaps the main supporting character of the film was in fact the car/s. The ambient use of car engine noises was great and things like him pulling up to traffic lights when she told him the husband was getting out of jail really hit the spot for me.
The actors were all rightly understated when they needed to be, and I especially enjoyed the guy from ‘Malcom in the Middle’ as Shelly, the mentor/opportunist.
If I were to be critical I would say that Ryan Goslings character could have had slightly more depth; Where was he from? Why did he know cars? Why could he have it in him to kick a guys head in etc but I think perhaps that information would have required a longer film and I thought the length was perfect as it was.
Ash Freeman said:
ReplyDelete8.5/10
I think I was the most overwhelmed out of all of us, since I decided to order the soundtrack on my short walk from the bus stop last night.
I felt the sounds were as good and important as the visuals, and I think that Danish Director Nicolas Winding Refn is now one of my fav’s. Was also thinking the same thing as you in regards to Ryan’s character, and not just what gave him the inclination, but also the skills to kill those guys. Clearly had no fear of death or injury (stunt driver, criminal etc) and I suspect the reason for this would all be revealed in the book (which can be found on Amazon, starting at £3.19).
My only criticism would be the mob-like heavies who were a little too stereotypical and so lacked originality – unlike the rest of the film.
A strong 8.5 out of 10 from me, best I’ve seen for a while and prob my favourite of the year.
Jeremy Starling said:
ReplyDelete7.67865/10
I loved it. Unusual, classy, unpredictable, great visuals and sound and I found The Driver (what was his name?) fascinating. Dreamt about it
The action and horror sequences were spot on and I loved the juxtaposition (good word for a move review) of calmness with sudden violence.
One of the more unique films I’ve seen for ages, definitely for the DVD collection.
I thought it was a bit slow in places and I am still not sure how he was connected to every single character
8.5/10
ReplyDeleteThis really was a great one, wasn't it?
Overall seemed like a short story played in slow motion in times.
Referring to what you guys said about not knowing much background on any of the characters - I think I liked that.
It kept pace but wasn't Hollywood dumb. It also kept the characters intriguing.
You almost had to question every one of the characters. You just never knew which way they could go so it kept even simple scenes on edge.
Again, Gosling was killer. He's got to be one of the most real actors out there.
Possibly due to lack of over exposure. We'll see though.
'The Driver' character was great. The 'hero'/'niceguy'/'human' are all there but highly questionable.
The fact that he rarely spiked either way emotionally really is uneasy to watch.
Those are always the most dangerous people.
Even though his ability for violence was severe, for some reason I definitely still liked him and could even sympathise.
It's the normal, every day, soft-spoken (Canadian) guy that in a second can snap and stomp a dudes head in.
(Just don't mention customer service!) :o).
Little things like the squeaking of the leather gloves when he made a fist and the tensing of the jaw bone were like the tip of the dorsal fin, weren't they?
SO effective but understated!
Dave - just like you mentioned with the rev of the engine.
Even the majority of the supporting cast were equally intriguing and great.
We had so little on Standard, for instance, and yet there was a lot there.
It was the pace of the film, minimal (but punchy) dialogue and great acting that did it I think.
The only dissapointment for cast came with Ron Perlman as Nino.
I completely agree Ash, it was too textbook. He was acting like actors.
Shame too because for some reason I like Perlman. This role makes me wonder why though.
I had less of an issue with Albert Brookes as Bernie though. I thought he added a dynamic element to the baddie.
Again, he seemed fairly normal and on that similar 'even' as Gosling did but when he goes he goes.
I thought the little peeks we got of characters (for instance when we see his blade collection) nicely sums up how to get the most out of a character without 'telling' the viewer anything.
Bernie seemed so straight-forward and rational really.
He just told it like it was and was so 'human' in killing Shannon.
Almost as gentlemanly like as it gets. During a handshake.
The overall look of the film was quite nice but understated for what I was expecting.
I thought it would be more 'neon of LA' but it really kept it quite dark and local.
I actually liked the nods to the 80's and didn't think I would.
Maybe he was actually able to reference but not stereotype.
Elements like the music and hot pink 'Mistral' typeface really packaged the film nicely.
The soundtrack was great. Opening credits feel like we're walking into a modern day Scarface.
When I think about it, I loved Pacino as Montana and the thought of a re-make always bothered me.
But seeing Gosling as 'The Driver' makes me wonder what an actor that was a bit darker and not so over-the-top might do with a role like Montana.
How scary could that be?
Absolute wicked start guys.
This really could be my contender for film of the year as well.
When you really think about it - amazing how much Winding Refn packed into 100 minutes.
Amazingly walked the line between fast-paced, Hollywood and moody, art-house.
Excellent film, killer soundtrack, with great subtle effects and two amazing slowmo scenes. Gosling plays the complex protagonist perfectly.
ReplyDeleteUndoubtedly one of the best films I've seen in years.
Now all I have to do is find out where I can pick up a cool scorpion jacket!?
9/10