THE DRIVER ***

A classic cult movie from a classic cult director. You only have to look at the way they describe the cast in the credits, (Ryan O'Neal as The Driver, Bruce Dern as The Detective, Isabelle Adjani as The Player etc.), as well as a parred down plot bordering on the existentialist to figure out it was destined for cult status. It's certainly not a conventional thriller as Dern's dogged cop goes all out to bring down O'Neal's almost silent driver and basically that's it; one great chase after another and some of the best stunt driving in the movies. Add to this Hill's brusque, hard-boiled dialogue and good performances all round, (O'Neal's superb and we should also mention Ronee Blakley, wasted in too small a role, as well as the always reliable Matt Clark), and you have a movie worthy of its reputation. Nicolas Winding Refn paid homage to it when he made "Drive" with another Ryan as the driver.