Ryan Gosling Makes Polarizing Directorial Debut With 'Lost River'

Ryan Gosling premiered his directorial debut, Lost River, at the Cannes Film Festival on Tuesday, May 20.

The polarizing film, screened as part of Un Certain Regard film series, is a far cry from the romantic comedies and dramas Gosling has starred in. Instead, Lost River is an art film, more akin to Drive than The Notebook. The film stars Gosling’s Drive co-star Christina Hendricks as well as his real-life girlfriend Eva Mendes. Also featured in the film are Ben Mendelsohn (A Place Beyond The Pines), Matt Smith (Doctor Who), Iain De Caestecker (Agents of SHIELD) and Saoirse Ronan (The Host).

Gosling does not appear in the film, instead choosing to remain behind the camera as writer and director. The dark, experimental film takes place in a desolate town, where opportunities are scarce and lives are bleak, but the film is uninterested in narrative. Instead, Lost River has been dubbed a melting pot of experimental/art house directors David Lynch (Blue Velvet, Mulholland Drive), Nicolas Winding Refn (Drive) and Harmony Korine (Spring Breakers).

Of course, the comparisons are not always positive. For example, Indiewire critic Eric Kohn pointed out that the amalgamation of familiar art film pieces made the film less interesting.

“Rather than making his own movie, Gosling has composed a messy love letter to countless others,” Kohn wrote.

Todd McCarthy from The Hollywood Reporter agreed, writing, “As beautifully presented as the imagery is, however, none of it registers deeply because it all seems like borrowed goods. It’s flashy enough to engage the eye, but the experience is akin to flipping through a gorgeous art photography book featuring an assortment of artists rather than one.”

While critics and fans have been applauding Gosling for putting himself out there by making such a risky art film, they are also quick to point out where Gosling’s Lost River goes wrong.

“It’s perversely admirable to the extent that Gosling has certainly put himself out there, sans shame or apology, but train-wreck fascination will go only so far to turn this misguided passion project into an item of even remote commercial interest,” wrote Variety’s Justin Chang.

The reviews reflect the audience reception Lost River received after its premiere screening. Lost River was first met with a chorus of boos from the audience, then enjoying a small, but steady, round of applause..

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