Drive My Car

Main Plot

"Drive My Car," directed by Ryûsuke Hamaguchi, follows Yusuke Kafuku, a renowned stage actor and director, who is grappling with the sudden loss of his wife. Invited to direct a play at a theater festival in Hiroshima, he reluctantly accepts and is assigned a young woman, Misaki, as his chauffeur. As they spend time together, driving through the city and rehearsing for the play, an unexpected bond forms between them. Through their conversations and shared silences, Yusuke begins to confront his past, his grief, and the unresolved emotions tied to his late wife. The film delicately explores themes of loss, connection, and the healing power of art and human relationships.

Characters

• Hidetoshi Nishijima plays Yusuke Kafuku, a theater director grappling with his wife's death, who forms a transformative bond with his driver, Misaki, while staging a multilingual production of Uncle Vanya.
• Tôko Miura plays Misaki Watari, a reserved chauffeur who forms a deep, transformative bond with the protagonist, helping him confront his past and grief.
• Reika Kirishima plays Oto, a screenwriter and wife of the protagonist. Her mysterious death profoundly impacts the protagonist's journey of grief and self-discovery.

Ending Explained

In the conclusion of Ryûsuke Hamaguchi's film "Drive My Car," the protagonist, Yūsuke Kafuku, a theater director, reaches a poignant resolution in his journey of grief and self-discovery. Throughout the film, Yūsuke grapples with the death of his wife, Oto, and the complexities of their relationship, which included her infidelities. The climax occurs during the production of a multilingual adaptation of Chekhov's "Uncle Vanya," where Yūsuke casts Kōji Takatsuki, one of Oto's former lovers, in the lead role. As the play progresses, Yūsuke confronts his emotions and the unresolved issues with Oto. The turning point is a heartfelt conversation with Misaki Watari, his young chauffeur, who is also dealing with her own traumatic past. Their shared experiences and mutual understanding lead to a cathartic moment of emotional release. In the final scenes, Yūsuke and Misaki drive to Hokkaido, where Misaki's mother died in a landslide. This journey symbolizes their acceptance and moving forward. The film closes with Misaki adopting a stray dog, suggesting a new beginning and the healing of old wounds. The ending underscores themes of forgiveness, connection, and the enduring impact of art and human relationships.