DRIVE (2011)

Summary:

Drive is a neo-noir crime thriller that follows a quiet, unnamed Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver for criminals. A man of few words but intense loyalty, he finds his meticulously controlled life unraveling when he develops feelings for his neighbor, Irene, and her young son, Benicio. When Irene's husband, Standard Gabriel, is released from prison and immediately targeted by dangerous mobsters, the Driver steps in to protect them, leading him down a violent and irreversible path. He quickly discovers that the underworld he navigates is far more brutal and unforgiving than he ever imagined, forcing him to confront his own capacity for violence to save those he cares about.

The film explores themes of identity, sacrifice, and the blurred lines between hero and monster. Set against the sun-drenched, yet often seedy, backdrop of Los Angeles, it's a stylish and atmospheric tale of a man driven by a silent code, whose attempts at a normal life are violently shattered by the consequences of his dangerous profession and the ruthless nature of organized crime.

Keywords: Drive, 2011, Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Nicolas Winding Refn, Crime, Neo-noir, Thriller, Drama, Los Angeles.

Plot:

The film opens introducing the unnamed protagonist, a skilled and enigmatic man known simply as "The Driver." He works multiple jobs in Los Angeles: a mechanic in Shannon's garage, a stunt driver for film productions, and a highly professional getaway driver for hire. His rules for his criminal work are strict: he gives clients a five-minute window, he doesn't carry a weapon, and he doesn't wait. He's a silent, observant individual, seemingly detached from the world around him, living in a small apartment and driving a beat-up Chevrolet Impala. His calm demeanor and precision are evident in a tense opening sequence where he expertly evades police after a robbery, disappearing into the city's night.

His solitary existence begins to change when he meets his new neighbor, Irene, and her young son, Benicio. Irene's husband, Standard Gabriel, is in prison, and the Driver quickly develops a quiet, protective affection for her and Benicio. He shares a tender, unspoken bond with them, driving them home, fixing Irene's car, and spending time with Benicio. Their relationship is platonic but deeply intimate, offering the Driver a glimpse of a normal, loving life he seems to crave. Shannon, the Driver's boss and friend, sees this burgeoning connection and warns him about the complications it could bring, especially given the Driver's dangerous side hustle.

The fragile peace is shattered when Standard Gabriel is released from prison. Standard is immediately confronted by two thugs, Cook and Nino, who demand he repay a debt incurred during his incarceration. They threaten Irene and Benicio, forcing Standard to agree to a pawn shop robbery to get the money. Overhearing this, the Driver, driven by his burgeoning love for Irene and a desperate need to protect her and Benicio, offers to help Standard with the robbery. He plans the heist meticulously, intending to make sure Standard is safe and the debt is paid, thus freeing Irene from danger.

The robbery itself goes horribly wrong. The Driver, Standard, and a woman named Blanche, who Cook provided as Standard's accomplice, arrive at the pawn shop. Inside, an unexpected second car pulls up, and a gunman emerges, shooting Standard dead. The Driver, realizing they've been set up, takes Blanche and the bag of money and flees, pursued by the second car. A brutal car chase ensues, culminating in the Driver crashing his vehicle and then savagely beating the pursuing gunman to death with a hammer, revealing a terrifying, primal violence beneath his calm exterior. He takes Blanche back to a motel, where he learns from her that the money they stole was not from a pawn shop, but belonged to East Coast mobsters who had invested in Standard's previous, botched robbery. Blanche, terrified, admits she was forced into the setup by Cook, who works for the mob.

The Driver's violent actions have now embroiled him deeply in the world of organized crime. He discovers that Shannon, in his ambition to secure a legitimate racing career for the Driver, had approached Bernie Rose, a ruthless former mobster now a legitimate film producer, and Nino, a dangerous pizzeria owner with mob ties. Shannon had secured a loan from them, offering the Driver's driving skills as collateral. Bernie and Nino are now furious about the botched robbery and the stolen money, believing the Driver is responsible. They threaten Shannon, demanding he locate the Driver and the money.

The Driver, now a target, realizes he must eliminate anyone who threatens Irene and Benicio. He confronts Cook at a strip club, brutally torturing him to extract information about the money's true owners and the people behind the setup. After getting the information, he kills Cook, further cementing his transformation into a violent avenger. He then tracks down Nino, who orchestrated the setup. He corners Nino in his pizzeria, beats him severely, and then drowns him in the ocean, leaving his body to be washed ashore. This act is particularly brutal, signifying the Driver's complete descent into a world where extreme violence is the only means of survival and protection.

Bernie Rose, a seemingly calm but utterly ruthless mob boss, realizes the Driver is systematically eliminating his associates. He warns Shannon that the Driver's actions have put them all in jeopardy. Shannon, terrified for his life, attempts to flee, but Bernie catches up to him. In a chilling scene, Bernie slits Shannon's throat with a straight razor, sending a clear message to the Driver about the consequences of his actions. The Driver finds Shannon's body in the garage, a stark reminder of the cost of his loyalty and violence.

The Driver then orchestrates a meeting with Bernie, offering him the stolen money in exchange for Irene's safety. They meet in a secluded parking lot. The Driver hands over the money, but Bernie, true to his nature, reveals he cannot let the Driver live after all the trouble he's caused and the men he's killed. Bernie stabs the Driver in the stomach with a knife. However, the Driver, anticipating betrayal, had hidden a knife in his jacket. In a final, desperate act, he fatally stabs Bernie in the neck. The Driver then pulls the knife from his own stomach, leaving Bernie's dying body with the money, fulfilling his promise to return it. He gets back into his car and drives away into the night, bleeding heavily, his fate ambiguous. The final shot shows Irene knocking on her door, unaware of the carnage that has unfolded, and the Driver's silent, bloody sacrifice to protect her and Benicio.

Cast (Lead Roles):

• Ryan Gosling as The Driver
• Carey Mulligan as Irene
• Bryan Cranston as Shannon
• Albert Brooks as Bernie Rose
• Oscar Isaac as Standard Gabriel
• Christina Hendricks as Blanche
• Ron Perlman as Nino

Crew:

• Director: Nicolas Winding Refn
• Screenwriter: Hossein Amini (based on the novel by James Sallis)
• Producers: Marc Platt, Michel Litvak, Adam Siegel, Gigi Pritzker
• Cinematography: Newton Thomas Sigel
• Editor: Matthew Newman
• Music: Cliff Martinez

Release Info:

• Original Release Date: September 16, 2011 (USA)
• Language: English
• Genre: Neo-noir, Crime, Thriller, Drama
• Running Time: 100 minutes
• Accolades: Best Director (Nicolas Winding Refn) at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival