One of the Most Intense Films I've Seen In A While

Last Friday, I went to the movie theater with a few other DMA students to see director Nicolas Refn's brand new film, Drive. As my title says, the film was extremely intense, Refn really builds up the tension on the screen and makes many parts of the film suspenseful. In many ways this is done through the silence in the film. It was interesting to watch a movie using this idea when we had only talked about silence in DM101 a few classes ago. This movie is proof that silence is powerful and can sometimes complete a scene better than any other method. Ryan Gosling, who plays the driver in the film, says so few words but its great because it makes him mysterious and it emphasizes the moments when he does talk. Refn also makes great contrast between the quiet and the loud sections in a scene. I think the director might have intentionally made certain sounds extra loud to shake the audience out of the quiet time. I definitely sensed a thrust into different tones through the sounds of the film during my viewing experience.

I will say this film is not incredible for its storytelling. Chances are all of you have seen a film similar to this one in terms of story. However director Nicolar Refn has made a movie in which a story we already know is presented in a way that still engages us. This might sound familiar if your in the digital tools and media management class, where we watched Midnight Club. I would say that Drive and Midnight Club are linked regarding superb execution. Nicolas Refn said in an interview that he will not put a scene in a film unless he absolutely loves it. If he doesn't like the scene, he doesn't shoot it or he finds a way to make it better; I believe this is what makes the film so visually stunning.

If anyone I have not talked to about Drive has seen it, I'd really like to hear what you thought of the movie. The film recieved mixed reviews so I'm guessing some of you will hate it but thats fine, it would still like to hear why.