drive like crazy

I knew as I was writing my post last night that my comparison between Drive and Palahnuik was probably not the best. But let me make one more attempt at clarification (for myself and everyone else).

I may not love Drive but I respect certain aspects of it. The retro and neon look, the minimalist dialogue and the difficult relationships are just a few examples. Also, as I mentioned in an earlier post, the opening few scenes are awesome. However, I respect some things about Palahnuik too. For example, I don't think he is a bad writer (indeed, he turns a few really beautiful sentences). I just do not care for his stories and, more broadly, their outlook on society. This is similar to the way I feel about Drive. It is well-crafted, which I fear hides it's poorly attempted mimesis of the (crime) world. I guess what it comes down to for me is that I was not convinced or pulled into the story. It was nice and fun to look at but it did not impact me in any meaningful way. (I know, I know, the conceit at thinking a film needs to impact me to be good!)

But anyway, Jeff is right in that I was reacting to something external to the film, though articulating my perception of it is difficult because it's just that: subjective perception. I think I might have a real "John on Midnight in Paris" thing going on. Drive was so perfectly set up to be a critical darling - from the actor to the director to the backstory of it's creation. I do not mean to suggest the film is disingenuous; rather, I am just irked it gets more attention than, say, Trust or Bombay Beach (to name some smaller movies of 2011).

Also, can we forget I ever called it the "movie for people who don't like movies"? I was carrying the Palahnuik comparison too far. I really only meant that it's the type of movie that is cool to like because it's just enough on the "outside" while still being praised by the critics. I guess. I have none of you in mind when I say this, by the way. You all like it and you know and understand and can articulate why.

Brandon mentions the few critics who refer to Drive as being "genre trash disguised as art." I think this misses another important point, one which we've briefly discussed (or at least John has), about how some of the best and most important art is actually hidden within genre films/books/etc. So, I'll skip over that for now except to say that I am not in agreement, as I don't think anyone here is, with that criticism of the film. 

That's probably the best I can put my feelings towards Drive into words. I know it's not the best argument and relies a lot on my partiality, but there it is. To sum up: Drive is well-made. But it's also been given too much attention. I prefer several other 2011 films over it. I'll still be looking forward to Refn's next work. And, of course, Gos'.

----------

If I am predisposed to disliking Drive, then I have to admit that Like Crazy is right in my wheelhouse. I finished watching it about an hour ago, just before I saw everyone's posts. It is about as opposite to Drive as a film can get. It may be one of the best portrayals of the on-and-off relationships we all probably had when we were young. I have to get dinner started but I'll be back with more later.