# Drive

> 2011 film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn

**Wikidata**: [Q732960](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q732960)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drive_(2011_film))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/drive

## Summary
Drive is a 2011 film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, recognized as a neo-noir crime thriller that blends drama and suspense. It features a critically acclaimed performance by Ryan Gosling and has been honored with awards such as the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films. The movie is celebrated for its atmospheric direction, soundtrack, and cinematography, contributing to its status as a modern cult classic.

## Key Facts
- **Release Dates**: Premiered May 20, 2011 (Cannes), released September 16, 2011 (USA), January 26, 2012 (UK).
- **Director**: Nicolas Winding Refn.
- **Genre**: Neo-noir, crime film, drama film, thriller film.
- **Starring**: Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Christina Hendricks.
- **Awards**: National Board of Review: Top Ten Films, Empire Award for Best Thriller.
- **Box Office**: $78.7 million (worldwide gross), $15 million (production budget).
- **Ratings**: 93% on Rotten Tomatoes, 79/100 on Metacritic, 7.8/10 on IMDB.
- **Music**: Original score by Cliff Martinez, featuring songs by College, Kavinsky, and Desire.
- **Cinematography**: Newton Thomas Sigel.
- **Production Companies**: Bold Films, FilmDistrict, OddLot Entertainment.
- **Distributors**: FilmDistrict (USA), Icon Film Distribution (UK).
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes.
- **Language**: English.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Wikipedia Sitelinks**: 48 language editions.
- **Wikidata ID**: Q32186.
- **IMDB ID**: tt0780504.
- **Rotten Tomatoes ID**: drive_2011.

## FAQs
**What makes Drive notable in film history?**  
Drive is celebrated for revitalizing the neo-noir genre with its atmospheric pacing, minimalist dialogue, and a memorable soundtrack. It received critical acclaim for Ryan Gosling's performance and Nicolas Winding Refn's direction, earning spots on "best of the 2010s" lists.

**How was Drive received commercially and critically?**  
The film grossed $78.7 million worldwide against a $15 million budget, proving commercially successful. Critics praised its tense atmosphere, cinematography, and performances, with a 93% Rotten Tomatoes score and 79 Metacritic score reflecting widespread acclaim.

**What awards and recognitions did Drive achieve?**  
Drive was named one of the National Board of Review's Top Ten Films of 2011 and won the Empire Award for Best Thriller. It also received nominations for the Grand Prix at Cannes and a Saturn Award for Best Action/Adventure Film.

**What cultural impact has Drive had?**  
The film's soundtrack, particularly Kavinsky's "Nightcall," became iconic, symbolizing the movie's moody aesthetic. Its influence is seen in subsequent neo-noir works, and it helped establish Ryan Gosling as a leading dramatic actor.

**How does Drive fit into its genres?**  
As a neo-noir, Drive updates classic film noir themes with modern settings and stylized violence. It combines crime thriller elements with dramatic character study, focusing on a stoic protagonist entangled in criminal underworlds.

## Why It Matters
Drive matters as a landmark film that reinvigorated interest in neo-noir storytelling through its stylish direction, atmospheric soundtrack, and nuanced performances. It demonstrated the commercial viability of art-house crime dramas, influencing a wave of similarly atmospheric thrillers. The film's cultural footprint is evident in its iconic score, memorable scenes (e.g., the elevator fight), and its status as a modern classic, frequently cited in "best of the 2010s" retrospectives. Its success also highlighted the appeal of minimalist, dialogue-driven narratives in an era dominated by blockbuster franchises.

## Notable For
- **Revitalizing Neo-Noir**: Updated the genre with modern aesthetics and pacing.
- **Cult Soundtrack**: Kavinsky's "Nightcall" and College's "A Real Hero" became synonymous with the film's mood.
- **Ryan Gosling's Breakthrough**: Cemented his reputation as a versatile dramatic actor.
- **Critical and Commercial Balance**: Achieved both artistic acclaim and box office success.
- **Influential Cinematography**: Newton Thomas Sigel's use of neon-lit night scenes set a visual trend.
- **Minimalist Dialogue**: Effective storytelling through action and atmosphere rather than exposition.
- **Cannes Premiere**: Competed for the Palme d'Or in 2011.
- **Cultural References**: Homaged in TV shows (e.g., *The Simpsons*) and music videos.

## Body

### Production and Release
Drive premiered at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival on May 20, competing for the Palme d'Or. It was released in the U.S. on September 16, 2011, and in the UK on January 26, 2012. Produced by Bold Films, FilmDistrict, and OddLot Entertainment, the film was distributed by FilmDistrict in the U.S. and Icon Film Distribution in the UK.

### Cast and Crew
- **Director**: Nicolas Winding Refn, known for *Bronson* and *Only God Forgives*.
- **Cast**: Ryan Gosling (Driver), Carey Mulligan (Irene), Bryan Cranston (Shannon), Albert Brooks (Bernie Rose), Oscar Isaac (Standard), Christina Hendricks (Nona).
- **Cinematography**: Newton Thomas Sigel (*The Usual Suspects*) crafted the film's distinctive neon-drenched visuals.
- **Score**: Cliff Martinez composed the electronic-driven soundtrack, incorporating tracks by Kavinsky, College, and Desire.

### Genre and Style
Drive blends neo-noir, crime, drama, and thriller elements. It is characterized by:
- **Atmospheric Tension**: Slow-burn pacing punctuated by intense violence.
- **Minimalist Dialogue**: Gosling's Driver is a taciturn protagonist, with storytelling relying on action and ambiance.
- **Stylish Violence**: Choreographed fight scenes, notably the elevator sequence, balance brutality with artistry.

### Critical and Commercial Performance
- **Box Office**: Grossed $78.7 million worldwide against a $15 million budget.
- **Critical Reception**: 93% Rotten Tomatoes score, 79 Metacritic score, and 7.8/10 IMDB rating.
- **Awards**: National Board of Review Top Ten Films (2011), Empire Award for Best Thriller (2012).

### Cultural Impact
- **Soundtrack Influence**: Kavinsky's "Nightcall" and College's "A Real Hero" became cultural touchstones, featured in trailers, ads, and media.
- **Fashion and Aesthetics**: The film's 1980s-inspired synth score and neon-lit visuals influenced subsequent media, from *Stranger Things* to *Cyberpunk 2077*.
- **Homages and Parodies**: Referenced in *The Simpsons* ("Homer the Heretic") and *Family Guy*.

### Legacy
Drive is frequently ranked among the best films of the 2010s, appearing on lists from *Rolling Stone* and *The Guardian*. It revitalized interest in neo-noir and demonstrated the market for stylized, mid-budget thrillers. The film's success paved the way for Refn's subsequent projects and solidified Gosling's status as a leading actor in dramatic roles.

### Technical Specifications
- **Runtime**: 100 minutes.
- **Language**: English.
- **Aspect Ratio**: 2.35:1.
- **Sound Mix**: Datasat, Dolby Digital.
- **Film Stock**: Kodak Vision3 500T 5219.

### Related Works
- **Preceded By**: Nicolas Winding Refn's *Bronson* (2008).
- **Followed By**: Refn's *Only God Forgives* (2013), also starring Gosling.
- **Inspirations**: 1980s neo-noirs like *The Driver* (1978) and *Against All Odds* (1984).

### Academic and Cultural Studies
Drive has been analyzed in film studies for its use of silence, color symbolism, and subversion of traditional hero archetypes. It is a case study in modern neo-noir, explored in academic papers on genre evolution and atmospheric storytelling.

## References

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