‘Drive’ bills itself as a sleek, stylish thriller. And for the opening scene, it is. The driver (he’s unnamed in the film) is hired by a couple guys to be the driver on a heist. He waits for them, evades the cops in impressive fashion, and walks off. And it’s all done under the bright LA lights to a hip soundtrack.
After that, the film kind of takes a bit of a left turn. In its place is a grittier film about the driver protecting a pretty neighbor and her son from violent mafiosas (via her husband). In most cases, a film that makes such a move is for the worse, as it devolves into something it isn’t. However, ‘Drive’s’ shift (get it? shift??) isn’t necessarily a bad one. What worked in the opening segment still works for the entire film. There’s quality direction, understated dialogue and able performances throughout. Not to mention some pretty impressive stunt driving. Side note: Christina Hendricks just looks out of place in a contemporary setting.
+3