Directed by Nicholas Refn
The Driver (Ryan Gosling) doesn’t seem to have a name. He turned up at a garage belonging to former racing driver Shannon (Bryan Cranston) one day and asked for a job. He is a quiet, efficient and reliable mechanic and Shannon arranges for him to drive stunt cars for Hollywood films. Despite having everything in the looks department, he lives by himself, doesn’t seem to any have friends, associates, or even family.
He also moonlights as a reliable getaway driver for the criminal underworld and has a firm set of rules including not carrying a gun.
There is a softer side to the driver and encounters with neighbour Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son Benicio (Kaden Leos) bring out a more caring side to this enigmatic character.
When Irene’s husband Standard (Oscar Isaac) is released from prison, there are a few tense moments before the driver decides to help his neighbouring family. However, things do not go according to plan when they are caught up in the double-crossings of underworld bosses and the violence escalates. Menacingly refined Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks) and not so subtle maniac Nino (Ron Pearlman) watch as the minions they send to destroy the driver come to very nasty ends.
When the driver is pushed, he becomes a ruthless killing machine, and the audience cheer on this charismatic hero as the body count mounts.
Ryan Gosling smoulders as the modern-day hero who embodies all the traits of the cowboys of bygone eras. His character uses dialogue sparsely and in the scenes where a building attraction grows between him and Irene, hardly any words are exchanged. In contrast, the bad guys have none of his subtleness and even though he is seriously flawed, he fights the good fight for families to be free of terror.
Lezly Herbert
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