Drive (2011) on Netflix
The Driver works as a mechanic and stunt driver, and drives getaways for criminals. He grows close to his neighbor Irene and her son, until her husband, Standard, returns from prison.
- Netflix3.7/5
- IMDb7.8/10774,252 votes
- Rotten Tomatoes93%
Trailer
Plot summary
In Los Angeles, a man known only as the Driver earns his living three ways: he works as a mechanic, doubles for actors as a stunt driver, and hires himself out as a getaway driver for criminals. Shannon, who runs the auto shop where the Driver works, manages his jobs and wants to buy a stock car for him to race, with financing from the mobster Bernie Rose and his associate Nino. The Driver grows close to his neighbor Irene and her young son, Benicio, until Irene's husband, Standard Gabriel, comes home from prison. Standard owes protection money to a gangster named Cook, who demands that he rob a pawn shop to settle the debt. The Driver agrees to drive for Standard and Cook's associate Blanche.
Cast
Did you know?!Facts and trivia about Drive (2011)
Can contain spoilers, watch the movie first.
- A film of Drive was announced in early 2008 as an L.A.-set action mystery and planned as a starring vehicle for Hugh Jackman, with Neil Marshall set to direct. By February 2010 neither Marshall nor Jackman was attached any more.
- When Gosling signed for the leading role he was allowed to choose the director, a first in his career. He chose the Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn: 'It had to be [him]. There was no other choice.'
- Trying to work in a more reality-based arena for the small role of Blanche, Refn originally auditioned porn stars for it and could not find anyone with the necessary acting talent. After meeting Christina Hendricks, he cast her because her persona clicked with the character.
- Refn chose Johnny Jewel of Desire and Chromatics to score the film, but at the last minute the studio hired the experienced composer Cliff Martinez. Refn gave Martinez a sampling of the songs he liked and asked him to emulate the sound, producing 'a kind of retro, 80ish, synthesizer europop'.
- Drive went on to be a major influence on many elements of the 2012 game Hotline Miami, including its minimalist plot, its protagonist, its use of dialogue, its portrayal of violence and its visual and musical style.
- The Driver's satin scorpion jacket developed a life of its own: replicas were produced, it became a recurring Halloween costume, and more than a decade later GQ called it one of the most iconic pieces of cinematic outerwear of its generation, reporting that costume designer Erin Benach is still asked about it more than anything else she has made.
- Gosling performed some of the stunts himself after taking a stunt-driving crash course, and during production he rebuilt the 1973 Chevrolet Chevelle Malibu used in the film, taking it apart and putting it back together. He kept the car after filming wrapped.
- To economise on money and time, Refn shot the opening chase in two days, filming from inside the car and never leaving the vehicle so the audience sees the chase from the character's point of view. With two set-ups prepared in the car he found it hard to move the camera, so he switched to two further set-ups nearby.
