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The big problem with this film may just be that people assumed it was a prequel to Drive Angry 3D

Kim Hollis: Drive, the Ryan Gosling film that plays more like art house than action, earned $11.3 million. How should FilmDistrict feel about this result?

Brett Beach: I am not sure how to take this whole "art house" talk, but I am gathering as a film goer who thinks this looks more kick-ass than half a dozen Faster Furiouser-s, that I should be insulted. With a B+ Flixter approval and a C- CinemaScore, it apparently is as polarizing a release as we have seen in a while, which I think is always a good thing (people should get a little pissed off every now and then at the multiplex) As a throwback to the existential car-chase films of the 1970s (Two-Lane Blacktop, Vanishing Point, and especially The Driver), it wasn't ever going to risk racking up a large opening weekend. Film District should be pleased: It's a labor of love for Ryan Gosling and director Nicolas Winding Refn, it didn't cost a lot, and good reviews and some of that positive word-of-mouth should keep it around for a few more weeks domestically.

Matthew Huntley: Its modest production budget should allow Drive to end up in the green, but I don't think by very much. Despite glowing reviews from critics, I think its lower per-screen-average and bad word-of-mouth will force it out of theaters faster than expected. This is a shame, too, because the movie is unique in many respects and does offer a fresh style. On the other hand, some of its qualities are rather old and conventional. It's a mix of good and average, but more good than average. With its cinematography and pumping soundtrack, I can see this movie shining brighter on Blu-ray, which should please Film District even further.

Bruce Hall: $13 million budget. $11 million opening weekend. Before the next time we all get together, this movie will have technically been profitable. Mission accomplished. I'm not quite ready to call Baby Goose a force to be reckoned with, but I do love calling him that.

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