Albert Blog

I run across a lot of people who wish we could go back to the 1980’s.  I don’t understand why they would want that.  I like living in the now with things like high-speed internet and covers of bad music from the 80’s.  I was born in ‘81 so that’s undeniable proof that decade sucked.  I mean come on people, Joanie Loves Chachi came out then.  Have you tried to watch that show?  I have and I’d rather watch Shasta McNasty.  I much prefer the 80’s as filtered through a modern lens.  Which is why I love Drive so much.  It has the look and feel of that wretched decade with a rad soundtrack to go with it.  If the 80’s were this cool Miami Vice would still be on the air and Phillip Michael Thomas would be the second highest paid actor on TV behind Jan-Michael Vincent.   

Now get this, Drive is about a guy who’s a mechanic and stunt driver.  He also, for the right price of course, will be your getaway driver if you feel like breaking some laws.  Driver is played to perfection by Ryan Gosling and his jacket.  His smile and face are so amazing no white woman could ever resist it.  The rest of the cast is top notch with Ron Pearlman and Albert Brooks being the stand outs with their mobster roles.  The movie is held together by director Nicolas Winding Refn who channels Michael Mann.  There sure were a lot of people named Michael running around in the 80’s.  Great movie all around.

Plot is overly simple.  Driver pisses off the wrong guys and they come after him. They push so he pushes back and people die because of it.  I don’t really care to spoil or explain too much of the plot because there’s not much there but the movie keeps you guessing just enough to have things stay interesting.  

What I love about this movie is how it handles the violence.  It’s quick and brutal and as soon as it starts it’s over.  It pulls no punches and doesn’t linger around so someone can get in their final word.  These scenes feel like there is weight behind them rather than the usual bit of just killing some thug and moving on like nothing happened.  

So go watch this movie on LaserDisc!