Ryan Gosling, an actor known for his striking versatility and nuanced performances, has captivated audiences with a range of diverse and unforgettable characters. From a brooding getaway driver in Drive to a dreamy jazz musician in La La Land and a dystopian detective in Blade Runner 2049, Gosling’s ability to inhabit different personas is a testament to his skill and the profound impact of costume and makeup on character development. This article delves into how these elements have played a crucial role in shaping Gosling’s iconic roles, uncovering the artistry behind the scenes that has helped bring these characters to life.

1. Character Analysis

Drive (2011): The Mysterious Driver

In Nicolas Winding Refn’s Drive, Ryan Gosling takes on the role of a nameless stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. The character’s enigmatic nature is mirrored by his minimalist wardrobe and distinctive appearance.

Costume Design: The character’s signature look—a white satin bomber jacket with a golden scorpion embroidered on the back—has become iconic. The jacket’s sleek, almost otherworldly design reflects the Driver’s detached and mysterious persona. This seemingly simple outfit is, in fact, a carefully chosen piece that symbolizes the character’s duality. The scorpion emblem, which appears both on the jacket and as a tattoo on the Driver’s hand, alludes to his fatalistic tendencies and the raw, untamed aspects of his personality.

Makeup: Gosling’s makeup in Drive is subtle but deliberate. The makeup team ensured that his appearance maintained a youthful, almost androgynous quality, which contrasts sharply with the gritty violence of his actions. The minimalistic approach to his makeup emphasizes his blank slate demeanor, enhancing the character’s sense of detachment and ambiguity.

La La Land (2016): The Dreamy Jazz Musician

In Damien Chazelle’s La La Land, Gosling plays Sebastian, a passionate jazz musician striving to keep the art form alive. His look in this film is a blend of classic Hollywood charm and modern sensibility.

Costume Design: Sebastian’s wardrobe includes a mix of tailored suits and casual outfits that evoke a vintage aesthetic while remaining contemporary. The iconic scene where Gosling performs “City of Stars” in a well-fitted suit showcases a timeless elegance. The choice of clothing not only pays homage to the golden age of cinema but also underscores his character’s romantic idealism and dedication to his craft.

Makeup: The makeup for Sebastian is subtle but strategically used to enhance his natural features and to evoke a sense of authenticity. The character’s look is designed to be effortlessly charming, complementing Gosling’s portrayal of an idealistic artist. The use of makeup in this context is less about transformation and more about highlighting the character’s emotional depth and sincerity.

Blade Runner 2049 (2017): The Stoic K

In Blade Runner 2049, Gosling takes on the role of K, a replicant blade runner navigating a dystopian future. The character’s appearance is a crucial aspect of the film’s visual storytelling.

Costume Design: K’s wardrobe in Blade Runner 2049 is a masterclass in futuristic yet grounded design. His trench coat, with its rugged, utilitarian look, underscores his role as a law enforcer in a bleak, dystopian world. The costume design here blends elements of classic noir with futuristic aesthetics, emphasizing K’s role as both an investigator and a product of advanced technology.

Makeup: The makeup for K is designed to reflect the character’s synthetic nature. The use of subtle yet precise contouring helps to create a flawless, almost unblemished appearance, emphasizing his artificiality. This deliberate choice in makeup enhances the film’s exploration of identity and humanity, highlighting K’s internal struggle and his search for meaning.

2. The Role of Costume and Makeup in Character Creation

Costume Design: The Silent Storyteller

Costume design plays a crucial role in defining a character’s identity and narrative arc. For Ryan Gosling, the costumes often serve as an extension of the character’s internal world. In Drive, the Driver’s jacket is not just a piece of clothing but a symbol of his complex nature. Similarly, in La La Land, the carefully chosen outfits reflect Sebastian’s dreams and aspirations, blending classic styles with contemporary flair.

Costume designers work closely with actors to ensure that the clothing not only fits the character’s world but also complements the actor’s performance. For Gosling, this means that every piece of clothing is carefully selected to enhance his portrayal, whether it’s the minimalist bomber jacket in Drive or the elegant suits in La La Land. The attention to detail in costume design helps create a visual shorthand for the character’s traits and motivations, allowing audiences to quickly grasp essential aspects of their personalities.

Makeup: The Art of Subtle Transformation

Makeup, on the other hand, often operates in a more subtle realm. In films like Blade Runner 2049, the makeup is used to emphasize K’s artificial nature, contributing to the film’s exploration of what it means to be human. The meticulous application of makeup helps to create a flawless, otherworldly appearance that aligns with the character’s synthetic background.

In contrast, the makeup in La La Land is designed to highlight Gosling’s natural features, creating a look that feels both effortless and authentic. This choice enhances the character’s charm and sincerity, allowing Gosling’s performance to shine through without the distraction of heavy makeup.

Collaboration and Craftsmanship

The crafting of Gosling’s characters is the result of extensive collaboration between various departments. Costume designers, makeup artists, and the actor himself work together to create a cohesive and believable portrayal. This collaborative effort ensures that every aspect of the character’s appearance aligns with their narrative and emotional journey.

For example, in Drive, the costume design team worked closely with Gosling to ensure that the Driver’s jacket became an iconic symbol of the character. Similarly, the makeup artists in Blade Runner 2049 collaborated with Gosling to create a look that enhanced the character’s emotional depth and thematic significance.

3. The Impact of Costume and Makeup on Performance

Immersive Experience

Costume and makeup are not just about appearance; they play a crucial role in immersing actors into their roles. For Ryan Gosling, the detailed attention to costume and makeup helps him fully inhabit his characters. The physical transformation achieved through these elements allows him to focus on delivering a nuanced performance without being distracted by incongruities in his appearance.

In Drive, the minimalist yet distinctive costume design helps Gosling create a character that is both memorable and enigmatic. The attention to detail in the costume and makeup allows him to explore the Driver’s complex emotional landscape while maintaining a consistent visual identity.

Enhancing Emotional Depth

The interplay between costume and makeup also contributes to the emotional depth of Gosling’s characters. In La La Land, the carefully chosen outfits and subtle makeup help convey Sebastian’s dreams and struggles. The visual elements of the character’s appearance work in tandem with Gosling’s performance to create a rich, multi-dimensional portrayal.

In Blade Runner 2049, the futuristic costume and makeup design highlight K’s internal conflict and existential questions. The character’s appearance is carefully crafted to reflect his artificial nature and the emotional turmoil he experiences, enhancing the film’s exploration of identity and humanity.

Conclusion

Ryan Gosling’s remarkable range of on-screen characters is a testament to his talent and the intricate artistry of costume and makeup design. From the enigmatic Driver in Drive to the dreamy Sebastian in La La Land and the stoic K in Blade Runner 2049, each role is meticulously crafted through careful attention to costume and makeup. These elements not only enhance Gosling’s performances but also contribute to the storytelling, allowing audiences to engage more deeply with the characters and their journeys.

The collaboration between actors, costume designers, and makeup artists is a vital aspect of creating memorable on-screen personas. For Ryan Gosling, this collaboration has resulted in a series of iconic characters that continue to resonate with audiences long after the credits roll. The mastery of costume and makeup in shaping these roles is a testament to the power of visual storytelling and the enduring impact of a well-crafted character.