<http://schema.org/articleBody>
" Buzzed about as it made the film festival rounds earlier this year, Drive finally speeds onto movie screens this week looking to make its mark on the cinema-going public. The thriller is certainly a gear-change for Ryan Gosling, last seen in romantic drama Blue Valentine, who stars as a mysterious, near-silent hero taking revenge on the Los Angeles mob. Gosling plays a character known only as &amp;#039;Driver&amp;#039;, a Hollywood stunt performer by day who spends his evenings behind the wheel of getaway cars as criminals make off with their loot. A friendship with his apartment block neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) threatens to turn into a romance until her husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) arrives back on the scene. Standard&amp;#039;s criminal past catches up with him, and soon Drive transforms into explosive, ultra-violent entertainment. The real heroes of the hour are Gosling and Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn (he of Bronson fame), who forge a cinematic partnership that&amp;#039;s totally in sync. Gosling oozes cool as the toothpick-chewing protagonist, effortlessly blending softness and masculinity to draw empathy for a protagonist who&amp;#039;s as psychotic as the gangster he&amp;#039;s hunting down - Albert Brooks&amp;#039;s Bernie Rose. Refn&amp;#039;s display of assured stylistic flair cements him as a filmmaker of immense talent and a worthy recipient of the Cannes &amp;#039;Best Director&amp;#039; prize.  His tense car chases shun the flash-bang Michael Bay aesthetic in favour of Michael Mann-like precision, while tonal switches - from moments of heart-wrenching emotion to crimson-drenched violence - are staggeringly good. A scene in an elevator, where Gosling&amp;#039;s Driver passionately kisses Irene before savagely beating a bad guy to death is breathtaking. Drive&amp;#039;s soundtrack, a mix of electro pop songs and Cliff Martinez&amp;#039;s ambient score, also manages to pulse to the beat of its leading man. Gosling and Refn have both spoken of their fondness for the films of John Hughes and the &amp;#039;80s auteur&amp;#039;s inspiration is quickly evident, from the electric pink opening titles font to the lush, synthy romanticism of College feat. Electric Youth&amp;#039;s &amp;#039;Real Hero&amp;#039;, weaved into the film twice and acting as its signature song. A delicious, scene-stealing turn from Brooks is the highlight among the supporting cast, but there&amp;#039;s also excellent work from Bryan Cranston as Shannon, a mechanic who serves as a mentor figure to the Driver. Mad Men fans will also be in for a treat with Christina Hendricks, who plays a small but shockingly memorable role in the story. Belying its formulaic Hollywood premise, Drive is a compelling and hugely entertaining thriller infused with moody Scandinavian spirit thanks to its director Refn. A story with grace, beauty and brutality, the outstanding Drive lingers long on the mind. Whisper it quietly, but this may just be the best movie of 2011.   &amp;gt; Drive: UK trailer, poster released &amp;gt; Ryan Gosling&amp;#039;s Drive: In Pictures &amp;gt; Ryan Gosling, Nicolas Winding Refn &amp;quot;mentally f***ed&amp;quot; for Drive "^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.digitalspy.com/movies/review/a336065/drive-review/>