Drive

*NOTE: This is a collection of comments and analysis that I have gathered for the 2011 film Drive. None of this was written by me, but instead was collected from intelligent IMDB Message Board posts and YouTube comments.

ABOUT THE COOLNESS

Pulp Fiction is a very cool movie, indeed. But, although I think I understand what you mean by that, Drive as nothing to do with cool. PF is a cool movie because there is nothing dramatic about its story (and it doesn't have much substance anyway), it's just cool like The Big Lebowski is cool. Drive has nothing to do with? these two movies. His story is profoundly tragic, and the driver is a mythologic figure. If it was a cool movie, this sequence wouldn't be as epic and moving. :)

THEN ABOUT THE WORKPRINT

I haven't actually watched the WP, but from what I've read the biggest things are the temp soundtrack and unfinished effects. There is stage blood during the gory stuff but it is missing most of the extreme stuff. For instance I read that the (major story spoilers) scene where the thug is stabbed in the neck at Nino's restaurant was hardly bloody, when we know that in the final print, that was a very messy death. Same with the death of Bryan Cranston's character. The effect of Christina Hendricks' head exploding was apparently unfinished as well as the stomped in head in the elevator. I don't think I could watch the WP after seeing the final print in theaters, if only for the perfect soundtrack.

THEN ABOUT THE SYMBOLISM

I think this is somehow symbolic. I also agree that the mask is totally unnecessary from a logical stand-point. His car should have been loud enough and and blaring enough to alert someone and his mask did nothing but enhance his presence. Almost like a demon or angel. And when he meets Albert Brook's character he reverts back to his human face, because, i think, Albert Brook's was also of this mythological origin. they essentially kill each other. Leave their human bodies, and continue to move on as their supernatural counter-parts which is literally Ryan Gosling in body and physical form. See I never buy that Ryan Gosling is the true face of the Driver, this movie is about the many faces people have, and I think there is a subtle breaking of the 4th wall in this movie, that is, the main character is not that good looking or else he wouldn't be a stuntman, he would the main star, instead he sees himself as this suave and dashing guy and so we the audience sees him this way. I believe his true nature is shown to be that of a somewhat literal angel with the features of Ryan Gosling, or the self-image of the Driver, who is now dead. It's symbolic of DRIVE=ANGEL. He was there as a guardian Angel to the boy, but his supernatural abilities were shown through layers of masks and seeming to be invulnerable to pain. His divine spirit or angel counter-part allowed him to complete his mission for the boy, being his guardian angel, he runs into someone he learns to be of supernatural origin too, Brooks=demon, and knows they have to eliminate each other at least on this plain of existence, hence we don't see Brooks after being stabbed because his shadow crumbling in the light is supposed to a vanquishing back to hell.

THEN ABOUT THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN THE THEATRICAL AND WORKPRINT LEAK

I've had the chance to watch both versions of the films, and while the differences may be viewed as 'minor' the impact both leave are slightly at odds. The leaked version I saw was an early cut, months before its premiere at Cannes (some of the special FX were not finished)

1- The dispatcher at the beginning of the film (during the opening getaway) is a male. While in the theatrical it is a female. The dialogue is different and there seems to be more chatter on the leaked version and has an overall different tone.

2- "Tick of the Clock" is absent during most of the chase in the leaked version, while the theatrical had it pulsating throughout the scene.

3- The goons in the back seat during the opening getaway talk much more often in the leaked version.

"Dont freak out yet"

"Come on man come on!"

They talk to Driver and to each other while in the theatrical they barely say anything at all.

4- Scoring is used much more often, almost non-stop during the first half of the film. Many of the 'awkward' prolonged silences that people have complained about have been accompanied with scoring in the leaked version. It actually makes the silences work a little easier, it gives the viewer something to latch on to and tells them how to feel about the silence between the two characters.

5- When Bernie is in the car shop talking to Driver about how Shannon "Never had good luck" instead of yelling out for Nino in the theatrical version

"Nino, lets get the *beep* outa here! Come on!"

in the leaked version he says

"Lets get the hell out of here. Nino!"

A small, subtle change, but its interesting they added in an extra swear for good measure.

6- The Social Network Soundtrack appears in the leaked version, The song "Hand covered Bruise" is used during the sequence were Driver talks with Irene in the diner and takes the single bullet from Benicio. The song "Intriguing Possibilities" appears as Driver prepares for the pawn shop robbery (speaking with Cook and Standard)

In the theatrical version this sequence is played with the song "Where is the Deluxe Version?" on the Drive Soundtrack.

7- The dialogue between Driver and Irene in the diner is slightly different in the Leaked version but puts a different spin on the whole scene.

Driver - "How is Benice?"

Irene - "Good"

Driver - "...You just saying that?"

Irene - "...No...What do you mean?"

This change in dialogue adds a serious dark tone to the whole conversation. Driver, instead of trying to comfort Irene and talk about Standard in the theatrical version, he prods her and sees if she is lying to him. This portrays Driver as a much darker, less human person by flat out say she is lying or hiding something from him. I prefer the theatrical version.

7- News report about robbery only shows a single still image of the exterior of the pawn shop in the leaked version. The theatrical version had an on-air news reporter, as well as mug shots of Standard.

8- Christina Hendricks death is not finished in the leaked version. The effect of her head is not completely rendered so all that is visible is Hendrick tilting her head and a harsh white light were the bloody effect will be placed. - Its interesting to see the unfinished shot compared to the shocking final version in the theatrical cut.

9- The second hitman that attacks the motel room from the front door is only seen in two shots in the theatrical cut. In the leaked version he has more time on screen- an extra shot of him struggling to get by the mattress against the door. And another shot of his body on the ground after being shot by Driver (he is face-down on the other side of the box spring, only his legs are visible) His screen time actually built on the tension already present, constantly reminding the audience there is still another Hitman in the room with Driver.

10- No scoring at all during the strip-joint scene were Driver threatens Cook and calls Nino in the leaked version. The silence is one of the few times that is actually filled in the theatrical version instead of the other way around. - Personally I liked it better with the intense score in the theatrical.

11- Sound design for the infamous Elevator Sequence is completely different in the Leaked Version. The theatrical version had scoring as well as different sounds for the actual fight, including the bashed skull. In the leaked version there is more silence and the skull bashing does not sound as juicy. Sounds like a nit-pick but the sound design really made the scene for me looking back, and I definitely enjoyed the theatrical version better.

12- The beach scene were Driver drowns Nino is over silence in the leaked version. In the theatrical version the scene had the erie score "The Beach" which had a foreboding nature to it and framed Driver as a unstoppable killing machine. I think it works much better with the soundtrack scoring.

13- The phone call between Bernie and Driver where "The Scorpion and the Frog" is discussed is completely absent in the leaked version! There is totally different dialogue all together!

in the leaked version this is what is said

Bernie - "Nino? Nino?! Who is on the telephone?"

Driver - "You know who this is..."

Bernie - "...Where is Nino?"

Driver - "He's gone."

The rest of the conversation plays out almost verbatim what was in the theatrical version. But WOW does this conversation portray both characters in a completely different way. Driver is more of a human-being who is caught up in some bad stuff. While the Scorpion and the Frog reference in the theatrical version painted him as a more icon and legendary character, and also brought a new layer to the whole film and how the characters are connected to one another. I have seen several threads on IMDB talking about this single piece of dialogue. Without it the scene plays out very differently and casts both Bernie and Driver as more human that the arch type they represent.

14- The showdown between Bernie and Driver has a few extra shots in the leaked version. It has a quick cut of a CU shot of Bernie pulling out his switch blade, then cuts back to Driver and Bernie talking one more time. Then cuts to Driver actually being stabbed. The introduction of the knife in the leaked version I think breaks the suspense and utter shock when Driver actually does get stabbed in the theatrical cut. The surprise of it is half of the enjoyment! Also the shadow shot of Driver and Bernie both falling to the pavement is played with actually sound design in the leaked cut, you can hear Bernie actually die.

In the theatrical cut it is played silently over the score, adding to dramatic effect rather than going for a more realistic approach.

15- In the leaked version there is no shot of dead Bernie with the bag of money by his side, instead Driver just drives off. This implies that he may have kept the money in this version instead of leaving it behind (Symbolizing it was never about the money) that small cut says so much about Driver's character and now without it, one would assume that Driver is now a million dollars richer.

Some of these are small changes, but as a whole it make the film a different experience completely. I actually liked some choices in the leaked/eary version more. But overall the theatrical version is in my opinion the superior.

THEN ABOUT THE DRIVER'S PERSONALITY

You should really browse through these boards, there are a number of theories and really good analysis posts and I won't claim that mine is the only right one.

That being said, Refn and Gosling said they wanted to make a fairy tale type movie about a guy who does stunt driving by day and takes side getaway driving jobs, and who drives around at night because it is the only way he can seem to feel.

Basically, I think that, for whatever reasons are in his past, this is a guy who has A LOT of difficulty connecting with people. He does not have the same motivations other people have. He is almost emotionally flat-lined most of the time, and desperately tries to seek out some...thing. He doesn't know what he needs, he only knows what doesn't matter to him (which includes most things that should normally matter to him).

I think it was easy for him to connect with Irene because her and Benecio already had a family dynamic that did not require a father figure (because they already had one that was just absent at the moment). It was a safe and easy way for him to get close to someone because Irene was content letting driver just be himself. This gave him the opportunity to connect, he fell in love, and then the husband came home and brought a slew of problems with him.

The rest of what you saw would be, I think, an emotionally troubled man lashing out with incredible violence, passion, and brutality to make sure that the one light that had finally entered his life didn't get snuffed out. Then he left her, because if you remember the mythology he brings up about the scorpion, he believes that he will ultimately hurt anyone that comes close to him.

THEN ABOUT THE CYCLE

Presumably he was already doing his own thing. Shannon seemed to be flaky to be able to come up with these things on his own. The money was motivation. Maybe not a big motivation tool but enabled him to continue from area to area driving nice cars in the process. However, beyond that, he did seem to enjoy the double life he was leading. He clearly had some issues in balancing the two out, but for him we are giving the impression that he had being this before. Like the ending for example, there is no narration, or final farewells, he merely drives away to his next destination about to do the same things all over again.

THEN ABOUT WHY BERNIE ROSE STABBED THE DRIVER

Well in the tale of The Scorpion and the Frog, a scorpion asks a frog to take him across a river. The frog is hesitant, but the scorpion argues that if he stings the frog, they will both drown, so the frog agrees. Halfway through the journey, the scorpion stings the frog saying that it is just his nature and cannot be helped, even though he knew they would both die.

I think this relates to the end of the movie. Bernie puts The Driver at ease by telling him his safety is not guaranteed but the girl's is. During the deal, Bernie stabs The Driver, knowing The Driver might get the better of him, which he does. But since Bernie is obviously a non-remorseful killer, it's just his nature to do so. Ironically enough The Driver is the one wearing the scorpion jacket.

I'm sure many will disagree, but this is the conclusion I've made. I think the act of stabbing The Driver was a random, spontaneous one, and not one thought out, regardless of the looks exchanged at the table. If it was planned, why not stab The Driver in the neck while his back was turned? Anyway, this is the sense I've made about The Driver asking Bernie whether or not he is familiar with the story of The Scorpion and the Frog.