Drive is a 2011 American action drama film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and based on the 2005 novel by James Sallis. The film stars Ryan Gosling as an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. His life takes a dramatic turn when he develops a relationship with his neighbor, Irene (played by Carey Mulligan), and her young son, Benicio.
The plot revolves around the Driver, who leads a double life: by day, he works as a mechanic and stuntman, while by night, he assists in high-stakes robberies. His world becomes complicated when Irene's husband, Standard (Oscar Isaac), is released from prison and finds himself in debt to dangerous criminals. When Standard is coerced into a robbery to pay off his debts, the Driver offers to help as the getaway driver. However, the heist goes horribly wrong, leading to violent repercussions that endanger the lives of everyone involved.
Drive premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, where it received critical acclaim and won the Best Director award for Refn. The film was praised for its stylish direction, cinematography, and strong performances, particularly from Gosling and Albert Brooks, who plays the antagonist Bernie Rose. The film's score, composed by Cliff Martinez, also received significant praise for enhancing its atmospheric tension.
Despite its graphic violence, Drive became a commercial success, grossing over $81 million worldwide against a production budget of $15 million. Critics have often cited it as one of the best films of 2011, highlighting its unique blend of action and art-house sensibilities. The film's aesthetic and narrative style have influenced many subsequent films in the genre.
Overall, Drive stands out as a modern classic that combines intense action with deep emotional undercurrents, exploring themes of isolation and moral ambiguity within a stylized framework.