Drive (2011)

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by eiknarf

I just let my brother and his wife watch it, and they said, "It was shot well, acted great, had an awesome soundtrack, but it

[Show spoiler] didnt make sense that Driver would leave the million bucks. Driver could have taken the money and relocated. Nobody knew who he was. Mr Rose said 'we're the only three players left'. Even if Mr Rose was still alive, Mr Rose wouldnt have been able to find Driver had he relocated. More so after he was killed. It's like Driver said, 'I have a cool scorpion jacket. I dont need a million bucks'"

Made a lot of sense that he would leave the money. Theoretically the police attending the scene would take possession of it (assuming someone passing by didn't scoop it beforehand), the mob would be forced to write it off and they would also assume Bernie to be the prime mover in it's loss and not go after Driver through Irene and her son. It was an ennobling final act in an otherwise unilluminated life.

He did not try to get the money to Irene as it would have put her in continuing danger, and he had no use for the money himself (money never was a motivation for him)

[Show spoiler]as he was clearly dying! He'd just been impaled through the chest with a butcher's knife (by an expert knife-man) and was using his last energy to remove himself from the scene, and the money, and to spend his last moments (rather than trying to get to a hospital)

doing the only thing that defined him and gave him meaning and pleasure, sitting behind the wheel of a car, driving through the night, living in the freedom of the moment as he had his entire life.

Think redemption of (a form of) innocence, rather like the case of 'Boo Radley' in To Kill a Mockingbird.

[csdot]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Made a lot of sense that he would leave the money. Theoretically the police attending the scene would take possession of it (assuming someone passing by didn't scoop it beforehand), the mob would be forced to write it off and they would also assume Bernie to be the prime mover in it's loss and not go after Driver through Irene and her son. It was an ennobling final act in an otherwise unilluminated life.

He did not try to get the money to Irene as it would have put her in continuing danger, and he had no use for the money himself (money never was a motivation for him)

[Show spoiler]as he was clearly dying! He'd just been impaled through the chest with a butcher's knife (by an expert knife-man) and was using his last energy to remove himself from the scene, and the money, and to spend his last moments (rather than trying to get to a hospital)

doing the only thing that defined him and gave him meaning and pleasure, sitting behind the wheel of a car, driving through the night, living in the freedom of the moment as he had his entire life.

Think redemption of (a form of) innocence, rather like the case of 'Boo Radley' in To Kill a Mockingbird.

he was not

[Show spoiler]"impaled through the chest with a butchers knife" he was stabbed in the stomach with a small blade, it was easily survivable. characters in movies have walked away from much worse. hes not dying at the end.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by csdot

he was not

[Show spoiler]"impaled through the chest with a butchers knife" he was stabbed in the stomach with a small blade, it was easily survivable. characters in movies have walked away from much worse. hes not dying at the end.

I stand corrected, the butcher knife was an earlier scene.

[Show spoiler]But the knife used was still substantial, would have inflicted grievous harm wielded by an expert who was in fact intent on causing death (in this case by gutting) and if you run the ending again you will see the face of in individual who is clearly aware of his approaching death. Indeed, in the conversation with Irene before the meeting, when he says, "I have to go somewhere and I don't think I can come back" Driver is clearly implying that this is his expectation. Doesn't bode will for a sequel, but does form a logical conclusion and framing for the whole storyline.

[csdot]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

I stand corrected, the butcher knife was an earlier scene.

[Show spoiler]But the knife used was still substantial, would have inflicted grievous harm wielded by an expert who was in fact intent on causing death (in this case by gutting) and if you run the ending again you will see the face of in individual who is clearly aware of his approaching death. Indeed, in the conversation with Irene before the meeting, when he says, "I have to go somewhere and I don't think I can come back" Driver is clearly implying that this is his expectation. Doesn't bode will for a sequel, but does form a logical conclusion and framing for the whole storyline.

i think ill trust the director of the film on this one.

[Show spoiler]

Well all my films always have open endings. All of them. Because I believe art is always best when…you talk about it and think about it, so forth. Maybe once in awhile I’ve gone too far, but I always believe in finding the right balance. And in ‘Drive’ he lives on for more and new adventures.

[Thieves Dont]

Originally Posted by csdot

i think ill trust the director of the film on this one.

This.

Also,

[Show spoiler]stomach wounds aren't necessarily the end in movies. Much like de Niro in RONIN, earlier in the film Shannon had his own doctor to take care of things. It isn't far off at all to think Driver used his services once again.

[Thieves Dont]

Originally Posted by LucasEatWorld

Yeah, that's pretty much the same thing my parents said when I showed them the movie. Odd that he wouldn't just take it. Maybe he felt it wasn't morally right? But then again, pretty much all the stuff he did wasn't morally right, so there goes that theory, lol.

Originally Posted by pmontreux

After several viewings, I don't think money means anything to him.

[Show spoiler]And neither did Irene or Benicio in the end.

Regarding these:

[Show spoiler]Rose's associates didn't know about Irene, but he made it a point to tell Driver that no matter what he would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life - meaning that others knew about him. Which is why he didn't go back to Irene and Benicio, because they DID mean something to him and he didn't want to cause them danger.

[runnersdialzero]

Did anyone see when Gosling was on Conan when this came out? He had a great story on why he chose Refn for the director. They met and he was really quiet, never talked. Gosling thought it was not meant to be I guess. Then a song came on the radio in the car, I think it was I Ran by Flock of Seagulls. Refn said, the movie should be like this song. Gosling then knew he was the guy.

Anyways, I think that's how the story went.

[Bad Sandwich]

Originally Posted by runnersdialzero

Did anyone see when Gosling was on Conan when this came out? He had a great story on why he chose Refn for the director. They met and he was really quiet, never talked. Gosling thought it was not meant to be I guess. Then a song came on the radio in the car, I think it was I Ran by Flock of Seagulls. Refn said, the movie should be like this song. Gosling then knew he was the guy.

Anyways, I think that's how the story went.

Basically that, but the song was Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Also, Refn was allegedly crying, pounding his knees, etc. Gosling clearly has an offbeat sense of humor so I wonder how much of the story is embellished. But yeah, he's mentioned it at quite a few interviews/press junkets

[Thieves Dont]

Originally Posted by Bad Sandwich

Basically that, but the song was Can't Fight This Feeling by REO Speedwagon. Also, Refn was allegedly crying, pounding his knees, etc. Gosling clearly has an offbeat sense of humor so I wonder how much of the story is embellished. But yeah, he's mentioned it at quite a few interviews/press junkets

In the interview with Refn on the blu-ray, he mentions that he was actually crying haha. Apparently he was very very sick and the medication that he was on was really screwing with him.

[ElliesDad]

Originally Posted by csdot

i think ill trust the director of the film on this one.

Ok, good one! Pretty hard to argue with that. But I still like my ending!

Just hope the 'more and new adventures' doesn't translate into a franchise-bid. The pleasure in the movie was watching Driver's character development and in the portrayal of his special relationship with the Carey Mulligan character, not so much in the limited story line. The movie as a stand-alone is a gem and further episodes would probably just detract from the original. But, clearly, what do I know...

[Presence]

Originally Posted by Thieves Dont

Regarding these:

[Show spoiler]Rose's associates didn't know about Irene, but he made it a point to tell Driver that no matter what he would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life - meaning that others knew about him. Which is why he didn't go back to Irene and Benicio, because they DID mean something to him and he didn't want to cause them danger.

That's a fair assessment, however I believe that Driver's sole motivation in life was actually, you guessed it, driving.

[Show spoiler]
I am a gear-head, a race enthusiast, and many drivers describe the relationship they have between the cars they drive and themselves. They say that when they step in a car, they feel almost...a physical connection with the machine. Like It's an extension of their own physical being. It gives them the feeling of immortality. Driving at incredible speeds time seems to slow down and the tunnel vision they get is like getting high. Lots of drivers say they are miserable when they're not driving, that It's all they can think about. That's why world-class drivers are some of the most dedicated and skilled athletes on the planet. And that's also why some of them seem to have a death-wish on the track.

My interpretation is that Driver lived for driving. Money was simply paper. He didn't take jobs for the money, he did it for the thrill. He wasn't truly alive unless he was out-running and out-witting the authorities in a car, or rolling one over in a movie chase-scene.

Rose did indeed say that he would be looking over his shoulder for the rest of his life, but I personally don't think the mob knew.

I felt like at the end, there was nothing stopping Driver from building a life with Irene and Benicio. He could have taken the money and gone back to them, but I don't think he could give up taking jobs, which is what he would've had to do in order to stay alive and provide for them.

He would've been a miserable, unhappy, shell of his former self and he couldn't sacrifice that high for a family. And that is why I don't believe he truly cared for either of them.

[Presence]

Originally Posted by ElliesDad

Ok, good one! Pretty hard to argue with that. But I still like my ending!

Just hope the 'more and new adventures' doesn't translate into a franchise-bid. The pleasure in the movie was watching Driver's character development and in the portrayal of his special relationship with the Carey Mulligan character, not so much in the limited story line. The movie as a stand-alone is a gem and further episodes would probably just detract from the original. But, clearly, what do I know...

I seriously doubt Refn or Gosling would attempt a sequel. The studios would have to move on without them.

They know the deal, they're both good eggs. They know what they have here and they're not going to mess with it.

[Awesome Sauce]

That Drive collection up there outdoes mine. This is what I have...so far

[Monty70]

@csdot

That's not how I saw it.

[Show spoiler]The few people that I have spoken to in person (who have seen the film) all believe he was dying as he drove off. Too much evidence supports this to blow it off as a possibility.
1. Driver left the cash behind. (he had already suggested giving the money to Irene, so if he's ok why not take it)
2. He doesn't return home to the women and child that he loves and risks his life for.
3. Driver sits in his car for an unusual amount of time for someone who has just been in a knife fight. (and been brutally stabbed in the gut) A person would be in dire need of medical attention, unless they knew it wouldn't help anyway.

I don't agree with making a film with such an ambiguous ending, then coming out afterwards in the press and saying that Driver survives to rock and roll in Drive 2. (A sequel to this film would be a terrible idea IMHO)

I still love the film though.

[Monty70]

Originally Posted by pmontreux

That's a fair assessment, however I believe that Driver's sole motivation in life was actually, you guessed it, driving.

[Show spoiler]He would've been a miserable, unhappy, shell of his former self and he couldn't sacrifice that high for a family. And that is why I don't believe he truly cared for either of them.

[Show spoiler]Wow, I can't believe we are talking about the same movie if you really feel that Driver didn't care for Irene and her child. If he didn't, how do you explain the extremely romantic interaction between them before Standard comes home, not to mention Driver risking his life to keep them safe from the thugs after her husband. (and family)

I am not saying your interpretation is wrong, I just don't understand how the film works without the romantic element.

[TylerScruggs]

Originally Posted by Monty70

@csdot

That's not how I saw it.

[Show spoiler]The few people that I have spoken to in person (who have seen the film) all believe he was dying as he drove off. Too much evidence supports this to blow it off as a possibility.
1. Driver left the cash behind. (he had already suggested giving the money to Irene, so if he's ok why not take it)
2. He doesn't return home to the women and child that he loves and risks his life for.
3. Driver sits in his car for an unusual amount of time for someone who has just been in a knife fight. (and been brutally stabbed in the gut) A person would be in dire need of medical attention, unless they knew it wouldn't help anyway.

I don't agree with making a film with such an ambiguous ending, then coming out afterwards in the press and saying that Driver survives to rock and roll in Drive 2. (A sequel to this film would be a terrible idea IMHO)

I still love the film though.

Well, I think the film's sequel is still up in the air at this point. DRIVEN, the sequel to the book comes out in April so I guess if the story is there, they can do it, but I'm not sure if the director and Gosling would return (because those are the only people that would return).

[Presence]

Originally Posted by Monty70

[Show spoiler]Wow, I can't believe we are talking about the same movie if you really feel that Driver didn't care for Irene and her child. If he didn't, how do you explain the extremely romantic interaction between them before Standard comes home, not to mention Driver risking his life to keep them safe from the thugs after her husband. (and family)

I am not saying your interpretation is wrong, I just don't understand how the film works without the romantic element.

Sure he cared about them, but he cared more about driving.

[Show spoiler]He cared about them but he didn't love them. He certainly risked his life for them but in the end it seems nothing more than a selfish act. He had no obstacles but himself and he couldn't handle it. Nothing was stopping him in the end and he chose his love of driving over the love of a woman and child.

It all seemed pointless. I actually think he was happier before he met them.

[Presence]

The love angle is the path of least resistance. It's taking the easy way out. The film is better to me knowing he didn't care as much about them as we thought. That makes him an anti-hero. Which I truly believe he is.

[LucasEatWorld]

Originally Posted by pmontreux

[Show spoiler]He cared about them but he didn't love them. He certainly risked his life for them but in the end it seems nothing more than a selfish act.

This honestly makes no sense. And the blabber afterwards to try and explain it made even less sense.

[eiknarf]

Ever notice at the end

[Show spoiler]when Driver and Mr Rose stab each other and we're shown the shadows, that it (the shadow) looks like a scorpion tail?

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