Drive

An unnamed man is standing in the door opening. We don’t know his name. And we never will.
He doesn’t say much. He’d rather not say anything. But a guy keeps talking to him.
He has been spending time with the guy’s wife and kid.

“You’ve been helping out? Is that right? Is that right? That’s nice of you. Thank you.”

As unsubtle as the violence in Drive, as subtle is Ryan Gosling’s performance. Unnamed throughout the movie, it’s about what he doesn’t say. Gosling plays a driver. Movie stunt driver by day and taxi driver for criminals by night.

Ron Perlman is a Jewish pizzeria owner. Which is, of course, just a front for his mob activities.

Carey Mulligan convinced director Nicolas Winding Refn to let her play Gosling’s neighbor. Apparently she made a pretty strong case. Not only did she get the part. She also stayed at the Refn family home during the whole shoot.

Comedian Albert Brooks is also a mobster. And a rather violent and unfunny one.

Mad Men Christina Hendricks is the one who brings in the money. And with it comes the trouble.

Breaking Bad Bryan Cranston takes Gosling under his wing and introduces him to just about everybody. Some good, some bad.

And apparently the guy really likes his toothpick.