I know, I know. It’s been a long time between posts.
My excuse is I moved all the way across the continent to start a film production company with my amazing partner, Devon Moore.
More on that later.
But here’s the clip, with comments below:
If you haven’t seen this film, and it’s still at your local theater, go see it ASAP.
It stars Ryan Gosling as essentially an updated “Man With No Name” character — he’s variously referenced as “the driver,” “the kid,” etc. Gosling plays a stunt driver, mechanic, and freelance wheel man for whatever job you’re willing to pay him for: legal or not.
The film has two pedigrees.
First, it’s based on the novel by James Sallis (although the screenplay’s by Hossein Amini).
Second, it’s directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, best known for his “Pusher” crime drama series, as well as “Bronson” and “Valhalla Rising”.
Sure, he’s Danish, but don’t think cerebral and soft — Winding Refn knows how to direct some violent action.
With that said, don’t expect a LOT of high-speed car chases. There’s some four-wheel adreneline, but most of the action is violence outside and on foot — between people who are desperate and willing to kill to get what they want.
It’s also a real change of pace for Gosling. If you remember him from “The Notebook,” this movie should completely blow up that little romantic bon-bon. There’s a lot of intense, explicit violence, and his character works right on the edge of extremes.
And although it’s set in contemporary Los Angeles, that’s really just a setting.
This isn’t an American crime drama as such — it’s an artful take on “American” crime dramas of the past, drawing from a clear European sensibility.
But don’t take my word for it. Go see it if you can, and if it’s left your local theater, check it out on DVD or your preferred streaming provider.
James Hyatt 