The Year of the Gosling

This should have been the year of Ryan Gosling. He was the star in three good movies, or he starred in three good movies last year. Three of them, and one with the ubiquitous Mr. Clooney. Does the Academy love anyone as much as they love George Clooney? He is the Jack Nicholson of his generation, although so far Jack has starred in much better movies. Clooney does not have his Chinatown, yet. But Ryan Gosling showcased his tremendous acting skills in three different performances, The Ides of March, Drive, and Crazy, Stupid, Love. The most astonishing performance was in Drive. He played the Steve McQueen character with an edge and a fury that I didn't think he was capable of. It's the kind of movie that Edward Norton might star in. Gosling was that good.