It's not hard to see why Danish director Nicolas Winding Refn's superb adaptation of James Sallis's 2005 novel won him the best director award at the 2011 Cannes film festival.

'Drive' is no mindless action film heavily reliant on CGI. The car chase scenes are filmed for real but more importantly the characters and their lives have credibility too. 'Drive' is a slow burner and takes a while to get up to full speed but once it does it's relentless.

The unnamed Driver (Ryan Gosling), who lives in an Echo Park, Los Angeles apartment, works repairing cars and as a stunt driver for action films. Managed in both jobs by auto shop owner Shannon (Bryan Cranston), the duo also provide a getaway driver service. With Shannon organizing the events, the Driver gives criminals only five minutes to perpetrate robberies and reach his car.
Meeting his new neighbour, Irene (Carey Mulligan), the Driver soon becomes close to her and befriends her young son, Benicio (Kaden Leos), while Irene's husband, Standard Gabriel (Oscar Isaac), is in prison. After her husband is freed, Irene stills asks the Driver to visit them. And then things get complicated. Standard is heavily in debt to the mob and agrees to rob a pawnshop of $40,000 to pay off the debt. The Driver, concerned for the safety of Irene and Benicio, steals a Ford Mustang and offers to act as the getaway driver for the pawnshop job.

Suddenly, two thirds in 'Drive' moves up a gear, actually several gears. This is not a film for the faint-hearted. When the violence comes it is brutal and uncompromising.

With dazzling cinematography and an evocative soundtrack 'Drive' was destined to become an instant classic. Ryan Gosling brings just the right amount of quiet brooding intensity to the leading role and Carey Mulligan is excellent as Irene. The supporting cast, Brian Cranston, Albert Brooks and Ron Perlman also give memorable performances.

If you like classic crime/heist/thriller films from the 70's and 80's you should spend 90 minutes watching this.