This weekend saw the cinematic release of DRIVE and CRAZY STUPID LOVE, two critically acclaimed blockbusters starring Ryan Gosling. One full-pelt action, and the other romantic comedy, the two films serve as a perfect example of Gosling’s ability to work in different genres with ease. Following our feature on fellow THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB member Justin Timberlake, THN has turned the spotlight on Ryan Gosling to look at the actor’s career so far.
Gosling made his television debut on variety show THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB alongside now household names Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera, and Justin Timberlake. While the three would first break onto the scene with pop music, Gosling went straight to acting and landed his first lead role in an episode of cult children’s hit GOOSEBUMPS. (For anyone wondering, and if so you’re as sad as me, the episode was ‘Say Cheese and Die’.)
A number of television appearances and a small cinematic role in REMEMBER THE TITANS followed, until 2001 when Gosling took the lead in controversial drama THE BELIEVER. Based on the true story of KKK member Daniel Burros, Gosling starred as an Orthodox Jew who becomes a Neo-Nazi. He earned praise for his performance, with film critic Roger Ebert describing Gosling as a ‘powerful young actor’. The film went on to win the Grand Jury Prize at the 2001 Sundance Film Festival, beating competition from Christopher Nolan’s MEMENTO and Richard Kelly’s DONNIE DARKO.
2004 saw the release of Gosling’s most commercially successful film to date; romantic tearjerker THE NOTEBOOK. Gosling starred as Noah, a poor but passionate man who falls in love with upper-class Allie (Rachel McAdams) only to be forced apart due to their social differences. Even if you haven’t seen the film the chances are you know about that kissing scene. Caught in a rainstorm, Noah declares his love to Allie with a kiss and simultaneously ruined all men for a generation of young women. The scene won Best Kiss at the MTV Movie Awards and Gosling’s and McAdams’ infamous acceptance ‘speech’ has gone down in MTV (admittedly pointless) history.
Gosling then made a leap from romance to mystery thriller in critically panned STAY, in which he starred alongside Ewan McGregor and Naomi Watts. The film drew criticism for its muddled and confusing plot (and unfortunate wardrobe choices) but favoured the casts performances. Refusing to allow a career lull, Gosling followed this with critical success HALF NELSON. Avoiding the patronising ‘white person helps African American kids’ cliché (I’m looking at you, THE BLIND SIDE) Gosling earned himself an Oscar nomination as drug addict teacher Dan Dunne. Despite losing the award to Forest Whitaker for his performance in THE LAST KING OF SCOTLAND, Gosling was now hot property in the acting world.
FRACTURE, a crime mystery starring Anthony Hopkins, was the actor’s next feature. The leads were praised for their performances as a murderer and district attorney in a battle of wits. Curiously, Gosling received a Teen Choice Award nomination for his role. Apparently kids love their courtroom drama.
Next came indie hit LARS AND THE REAL GIRL from SIX FEET UNDER scribe Nancy Oliver. An unusual choice of role that allowed Gosling to show his comedic skills, the actor portrayed a small town man in love with an atomically correct sex doll named Bianca. Described as a ‘strangely affecting romance’ the film was critically acclaimed and earned Gosling both Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award nominations. Since filming wrapped Gosling has claimed to now have Bianca in his home where she is ‘reading a book by the window.’
Originally set to follow his role as Lars with patriarch Jack Salmon in Peter Jackson’s THE LOVELY BONES, Gosling was fired from the project due to weight gain. Showing up to set 60lbs heavier than at his audition, the actor had decided his character should be overweight to compensate for his young appearance. Jackson disagreed with his interpretation and instead cast Mark Wahlberg. ‘I’d gotten it wrong. Clearly. And then I was fat and unemployed.’ Gosling joked, insisting he had no hard feelings.
After a few years off-screen, Gosling returned in independent drama BLUE VALENTINE alongside Michelle Williams. The gritty drama followed a couple’s doomed romance cross-cutting between time periods. The two actors prepared for their roles by renting a home together, buying groceries based on the budgets their characters would face, and filming a number of home movies. The couple’s performances earned Gosling was another Golden Globe nomination, and Williams gained a second Academy Award nomination. Critic Catherine Bay wrote that the film was ‘worth seeing for Michelle Williams and Ryan Gosling’s sincere, intelligent performances.’
Now we‘re up to date. This weekend saw the release of two Gosling vehicles, CRAZY STUPID LOVE and the dark action thriller DRIVE. World’s apart, the two features showcase Gosling’s ability to transition from comedic to sinister. In CRAZY STUPID LOVE Gosling stars as ladies man and all-round douche bag Jacob who teaches Steve Carell’s Cal the ways of the womanizer. Overseas the film is already a critical and commercial success, managing to gross over $80 million to date. Should he wish to pursue it, there’s a lucrative career in rom-coms waiting (plus those abs sure don’t hurt his chances).
However, the actor has always stated ‘I try not to discriminate with genres. I want to try a lot of different genres’, and that definitely shows in DRIVE. (You can read THN’s review here). Gosling appears as the unnamed driver; stuntman by day, getaway driver by night. As Empire puts it, ‘Star-making roles are as rare as actual stars these days, but this just might be one.’ Stern and silent, Gosling’s tense persona stands out in this ultra-violent, ultra-fun release, and may just be his career defining role.
We’ll be seeing much more of Ryan Gosling in the future. Later this year Gosling will appear alongside George Clooney in political drama THE IDES OF MARCH, whilst 2012 sees the release of DRIVE director Nicolas Winding Refn’s boxing thriller ONLY GOD FORGIVES. The actor is currently filming THE GANGSTER SQUAD with Emma Stone which is expected to reach cinemas in 2013 along with Derek Cianfrance’s NOTHING BUT THE PINES.
