It is a hard thing to type, but it is true: We probably won’t be seeing Ryan Gosling for a while. After this weekend’s Only God Forgives — the latest bloody, verging-on-wordless offering from Drive’s Nicolas Winding Refn — Gosling will disappear from our screens for the foreseeable future. Sure, he might show up in the next Terrence Malick movie, and he theoretically could sign up for a bunch of new movies, but it seems unlikely; he’s into directing now, and he’s already worried that he’s been acting too much. (“I need a break from myself as much as I imagine the audience does.” Never, Ryan.) So on this sad day, let us remember the good times with Ryan Gosling — the cool jackets; the memes; the laughter. Things like:
The way he says “laundry.” And “you’re wearing that dress like you’re doing it a favor.” And “apartment.” And really any other word that gets run though that weird, endearing fake-Brando accent.
The way he makes fun of himself. How many times has Ryan Gosling participated in bits about his own weird celebrity? So many times, and always with good humor.
The way he hates capes. Look, if you can make a giant studio franchise work for you, then more power to you. But Ryan Gosling will never be the guy cuddling with an alien on a 50-foot movie poster, and that is what makes him special. (Sorry, Taylor Kitsch.)
The way he saves the day (in real life). Never forget the great street brawl incident of 2011. Ryan Gosling invented the Celebrity Superhero League.
The way he carries things. Humbly, with a sense of purpose.
The way he won’t throw that ratty pair of boots away. Go back to the carrying things. See those boots? Always the same boots. When Ryan Gosling commits, he commits.
The way he hugs people. Nicolas Winding Refn, Bradley Cooper, the little girl from Drive. Everyone but you.
The way he’ll always be with us. Ryan Gosling may be going away for a while, but he will never really leave. Because it wasn’t over. It still isn’t over. It will never be over, Ryan.
