In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Drive, we answer questions you have about the movie. If you’re curious about plot explanations, meanings, themes, lessons, motifs, symbols, or just confused by something, ask and we’ll do our best to answer.
Cast
- Ryan Gosling – The Driver
- Carey Mulligan – Irene Gabriel
- Bryan Cranston – Shannon
- Albert Brooks – Bernie Rose
- Oscar Isaac – Standard Gabriel
- Christina Hendricks – Blanche
- Ron Perlman – Nino ‘Izzy’ Paolozzi
- Kaden Leos – Benicio Gabriel
- James Biberi – Chris Cook
- Jeff Wolfe – Assassin In The Tan Suit
- Russ Tamblyn – Doc
- Andy San Dimas – Dancer
- Hossein Amini – Writer
- Nicolas Winding Refn – Director
Drive | Questions and Answers
Why does The Driver wear a mask when he kills Nino?
The use of the mask in The Driver’s climactic confrontation with Nino has profound implications. It’s a visual representation of The Driver’s internal duality, a concept that operates at the core of the film. The mask, an artifact from his stunt driving for Hollywood films, is an emblem of the artificial identities he assumes, separating his violent deeds from his true self.
Throughout Drive, we witness a deeply divided character. On one side, there’s the quiet, compassionate man who connects with Irene and her son, Benicio. On the other, we see the ruthless, precise criminal, who navigates the treacherous underbelly of Los Angeles with a cold, unemotional demeanor. These two identities, the nurturer and the destroyer, have existed in parallel, with The Driver skillfully compartmentalizing his life.
However, when Irene and Benicio’s safety is jeopardized, these two distinct identities collapse into one. By donning the mask during his confrontation with Nino, The Driver is no longer able to hide behind the comfort of his dual personas. The mask, then, becomes an externalization of his internal conflict, a symbolic acceptance of his unified identity that has emerged from the fusion of compassion and violence. In essence, it’s not just the caring neighbor or the steely professional who faces Nino—it’s a comprehensive embodiment of both, an avatar of retribution.
Why doesn’t The Driver talk very much?
The Driver’s reticence is a powerful character trait that underpins his enigmatic persona, and it’s instrumental in building the thematic structure of the film. His silence is not merely a reflection of his character but a narrative device that reflects his existence within the film’s universe.
In the world of crime, he must remain detached, untraceable, and professional. His silence in these circumstances is a survival strategy: the less he reveals about himself, the safer he remains. His sparse dialogue creates an aura of mystery, casting him as an unreadable figure whose motivations and emotions can only be discerned through his actions rather than his words.
However, his silence extends beyond his professional life. It signifies a deeper disconnection from the world around him, a man who is emotionally distant due to the perilous nature of his existence. His connection to Irene and Benicio is the only emotional bond he allows himself, which is why he communicates more openly with them. His taciturn nature, therefore, is a protective shield, a way to maintain emotional distance and control in a world fraught with danger.
Why doesn’t The Driver go back to Irene at the end of the movie?
The Driver’s decision not to return to Irene at the end of Drive is a heartrending resolution to his struggle with his dual identity. It encapsulates the tragic underpinning of the film’s narrative and provides a profound commentary on the incompatibility of love and violence.
Throughout the film, The Driver’s connection with Irene and her son provides a stark contrast to his life in the criminal underworld. They offer him a glimpse of an alternative life, one marked by ordinary happiness and simple pleasures. However, his involvement in crime and ensuing violence shatters this idyllic vision. When his two worlds collide, it’s Irene and Benicio who suffer, causing The Driver to confront the destructive ramifications of his lifestyle.
His decision to not return to Irene signifies his acceptance of the impossibility of reconciling his love for them with the danger that his life poses. It’s a sacrifice, a testament to his deep affection for them. His love for Irene and Benicio is reflected not in a desire for proximity but in a selfless act of ensuring their safety. By removing himself from their lives, he hopes to shield them from the violent world he is enmeshed in. It’s an act of penance and a tragic acceptance of his fate—to forever remain on the periphery of the “normal” life he yearns for.
Why does Nino try to rob the robbery money from The Driver and Standard?
Nino’s attempt to rob the money from The Driver and Standard is driven by his aspirations for power and control. Nino feels disrespected and underestimated by his fellow mobsters because of his Jewish heritage in a predominantly Italian crime syndicate. The pawnshop robbery was intended to be a setup: Standard would be killed, the money would return to Nino, and the East Coast mobsters he owed would be none the wiser.
However, The Driver’s involvement complicates things. Nino didn’t anticipate an experienced wheelman who could potentially trace the setup back to him. Hence, Nino attempts to eliminate all loose ends, triggering the violent chain of events that transpire throughout the film. It’s a classic tale of greed and ambition in the criminal underworld, further emphasizing the dangerous and volatile environment that The Driver operates within.
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