Drive

| 2011

Directed by: Nicolas Winding Refn

Main Plot

"Drive," directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, follows an unnamed Hollywood stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. He lives a solitary life, adhering to a strict code of professionalism. His world changes when he forms a bond with his neighbor, Irene, and her young son. When Irene's husband, Standard, is released from prison, he is coerced into a heist to pay off protection money. The driver agrees to help Standard, but the job goes disastrously wrong, drawing the driver into a violent conflict with dangerous criminals. As he tries to protect Irene and her son, the driver must navigate a treacherous path filled with betrayal and brutality, ultimately confronting his own sense of morality and survival. The film is a stylish, neo-noir thriller that combines intense action with a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack.

Characters

  • Ryan Gosling plays "Driver," a skilled stuntman and getaway driver who becomes entangled in a dangerous heist to protect his neighbor and her son.
  • Carey Mulligan plays Irene, a young mother whose husband is in prison. She forms a close bond with the protagonist, complicating his life as he gets involved in dangerous activities.
  • Bryan Cranston plays Shannon, a mechanic and mentor to the protagonist, who gets entangled in a dangerous heist, ultimately leading to tragic consequences.

Ending Explained

In the movie 'Drive,' directed by Nicolas Winding Refn, the ending is marked by a climactic and poignant resolution. The protagonist, known simply as the Driver (played by Ryan Gosling), finds himself embroiled in a violent conflict with criminal elements after a heist goes wrong. In the final scenes, the Driver confronts Bernie Rose (Albert Brooks), a mobster responsible for much of the ensuing chaos. They meet in a parking lot where a brutal fight ensues, resulting in the Driver fatally stabbing Bernie, but not before Bernie manages to wound him as well. After the confrontation, the Driver, severely injured, sits in his car, contemplating his next move. He ultimately decides to leave, driving off into the night, leaving behind the money from the heist. This act signifies his rejection of the criminal life and his desire to protect Irene (Carey Mulligan) and her son, with whom he had formed a close bond. The film concludes with the Driver's fate left ambiguous, as he drives away, bleeding but alive, symbolizing his enduring, solitary nature and the unresolved tension between his violent past and his longing for a better future.

Nicolas Winding Refn Action Drama Ryan Gosling Carey Mulligan Bryan Cranston