Guilty Pleasures

SPOILERS AHEAD.

I’ve watched Drive three times in succession now, taking notes on my plane back from Edinburgh during the second, and the more I study Ryan Gosling’s character, the more I develop this theory.

It didn’t really connect until I started to pay attention to the soundtrack as well as the delivery of Gosling’s lines. Notice the way in which he responds, or in many cases, doesn’t respond - his failure to communicate with speech. Then notice his great talent for a particular skill (driving, of course). I’m beginning to suspect that this character is reflecting the symptoms one would connect to autism or asbergers.

Now, listen to the repetition of the song “A Real Hero” by College ft. Electric Youth, specifically the line “Real human being, and a real hero - real human being.” Considering that it plays once during the scene in which he reaches out to the external family and becomes a part of an affectionate social circle, and then plays again at the end when he ‘sacrifices’ himself for this social circle, are we to make out that Ryan Gosling’s character is attempting to establish himself as human, and not a subhuman one would unfortunately associate those with mental disabilities?

It’s such a fascinating movie, and the cinematography would need a really long academic essay to do any justice. Ryan Gosling’s acting is beautiful and graceful. The soundtrack reminds me of an electronic 1980’s Miami. Granted, my perspective on the film and specifically Gosling’s character may change if I read the actual book the movie is based on, but in my defense, novel to movie translations sometimes create their own perspectives, and I love it.

What do you think?

Saturday Jun 2 @ 11:54pm

[Flash 9 is required to listen to audio.]

119 plays

real human being, and a real hero
real human being

A Real Hero || College ft. Electric Youth

Saturday Jun 2 @ 11:30pm

I seemed to hear the sound of distant drums. John Steinbeck’s last words on December 20th, 1968 Saturday Jun 2 @ 10:36pm

Thursday May 31 @ 04:08pm

Drinking rum and playing The Civil Wars duets with Katie Mae.

Tuesday May 29 @ 09:54pm

My wheat beer, my original recipe, is finally bottled! As part of my literary series, and because I want to dedicate my first original beer to my favorite author, I’ve named this beer John Steinbeck’s Wheat Thursday. The ground coriander flavor as well as sweet orange peelsthat I boiled with the wort make it so sweet, so refreshing. 4.6% alcohol. Perfect for a warm day.

Why did I use the book Sweet Thursday for the inspiration? Think of the trouble Mac and the boys are getting into. Remember Doc’s determination to write his academic piece and being entreated upon by a woman. Recall the gallantry of the whorehouse. Yes! This beer is as refreshing as a nostalgic Steinbeckian memory.

Tuesday May 29 @ 08:52pm

Didn’t gain a single pound despite the copious amounts of Scottish and English ales I consumed over in the British Isles! Feels good, son. Now, back to my old routine.

Tuesday May 29 @ 05:10pm