Drive
I have been a fan of director Nicolas Winding Refn for some time, with the likes of Pusher and Bronson under his belt by 2011.
However, in 2011 he teamed up with Ryan Gosling for the first time, to bring the fantastic Drive to the big screen.
Not only was Drive one of the best movies of that year, it is one of greatest films I have watched for quite some time.
Drive follows a Hollywood stunt driver by day (Gosling), a loner by nature, who moonlights as a top-notch getaway driver-for-hire in the criminal underworld.
He finds himself a target for some of LA’s most dangerous men after agreeing to aid the husband of his beautiful neighbour, Irene (Mulligan).
Gosling has always been a terrific actor, but with Drive, he really was able to show just how good he was.
To say he doesn't speak all that much is a bit of an understatement, and he still manages to create a powerful character that is full of mystery and intrigue.
From start to finish, it is just a captivating performance from the actor: he gives more away with a single look that he could ever do with words.
Both Gosling and the director understand the power of silence, and use it perfectly in this movie.
Carey Mulligan is also superb as Irene another character who says so much in her silences. Their relationship is intriguing and all-consuming and there is so much power in what they do not say to one another.
Drive is a movie that is just packed with style - Refn shows that not all action moments have to be CGI set pieces: he demonstrates that less really is more.
The action moments are explosive and violent, but are delivered with a real swagger. The elevator scene is a perfect example, as it really shatters the silence of the film.
Refn must be applauded for his work on this movie as he has blended style, interesting characters, action and violence all so seamlessly. It really is a perfect Hollywood debut.
Three years on, Drive is a movie that is still a fantastic and riveting watch as it was when I saw it for the first time. This is a movie that you just have to see.