It's not an action film and people seemed to think it was, its not a zero action film but personally didn't like the OTT violence, it went from a fairly not lighthearted but, "nice" film to ultra violence instantly. The same turn around in his situation could have been portrayed without the face being caved in for no reason, etc. Killing him, or knocking him unconcious would have had no effect in the pace/direction of the film or the turnaround, it was just a thing shoved in to be a controversial "ultra violence" talking point.... which worked but didn't need to be in there at all.
As for zero chemistry between the two lead's, rubbish, the type of characters they were, the smiliing, the simple chemistry without talking was portrayed incredibly well by both of them excellently. Other films, other films with Gosling are almost completely the opposite in the chemistry is in the conversation, this was the polar opposite.
It's a good film, but not great, it really felt like it was missing a large chunk of story somewhere, I think realistically being called drive and him being a criminal who drives it never really established that. Something like another small job not far from the beginning and "getting the call" for some big job, and juggling that with helping the husband, bit longer film, more driving, a stronger "he's a driver" storyline would probably have made it feel more complete.
despite it having RG in it.
