Before its September 2011 release , '' Drive '' had been shown at a number of film festivals , including the 2011 Cannes Film Festival , where it received a standing ovation . Refn won the festival 's Best Director Award . The film received widespread praise for its direction , performances , visuals , action sequences , and musical score . However , some critics were appalled by its graphic violence and found that potentially detrimental to the film 's box office success . Several critics listed '' Drive '' as one of the best films of 2011 , as well as the National Board of Review . Its honors included being nominated for Best Sound Editing in the 84th Academy Awards
84th Academy Awards
84th Academy Awards
Drive (2011 film)