Masculinity in the movie "Drive" is not illustrated according to the genre conventions and may signify a shift of the genre's stereotypical manliness towards a more family oriented and in general softer male. In this term paper, film noir as a mode in the 1940s, specifically the role of the male protagonist, will be examined and applied to the movie "Drive". First of all, it is important to provide a theoretical foundation. Therefore, the main elements that mark a film noir as such and its historical background will be briefly portrayed. Afterwards it will be discussed in how far the movie can be seen as a product of film noir or not, where the possibility of it being a Neo-noir is taken in to consideration. This is obligatory information for the following chapters hence they observe the protagonist of the movie, with respect to his correspondence with the characteristic hard-boiled male in film noir. Concluding, the analysis of the protagonist´s character in comparison to the typical hard-boiled male is going to be evaluated and it will be pointed out what effect it has on masculinity.
The following chapter will provide the main characteristics of film noir. Even if it is difficult to identify a film noir as such, there are certain elements to be portrayed, which can be classified as typically noir. The main object of enquiry in this paper will be the character of the masculine protagonist. Nevertheless it is important to also get an overview of the other characters except the male antihero, as they are in constant interaction with him. On top of that the chapter will illustrate common themes and narrative as well as cinematic strategies of film noir. This theoretical introduction will serve as basis for the analysis of the protagonist´s character and is essential as it will be examined in how far the protagonist of the movie "Drive" differs from the characteristic film noir male protagonist.
Table of Contents
- 1. Introduction
- 2. Film Noir Conventions
- 3. Drive as a Neo-Noir
- 4. Analysis of male protagonist
- 4.1 Profession and ethical standards
- 4.2 Driver - a hardboiled male?
- 5. Shift of masculinity
- 6. Works Cited
Objectives and Key Themes
This term paper examines the portrayal of masculinity in the movie "Drive" (2011) and compares it to the typical representation of male protagonists in film noir. It aims to analyze how the protagonist in "Drive" deviates from the conventions of the genre and what implications this deviation has on the overall film.
- Masculinity in Film Noir
- The Hard-boiled Male Protagonist
- "Drive" as a Neo-Noir Film
- Deviation from Film Noir Conventions
- Shifting Representations of Masculinity
Chapter Summaries
1. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage for the analysis by outlining the paper's central argument: that the masculinity depicted in "Drive" (2011) differs significantly from the stereotypical portrayal found in traditional film noir, potentially signaling a shift in genre conventions towards a more nuanced and less hard-boiled male character. It briefly previews the structure of the paper, highlighting the upcoming exploration of film noir conventions and their application to the analysis of "Drive's" protagonist. The introduction lays the groundwork for a comparative study, promising a detailed examination of the protagonist's characteristics in relation to the archetypal hard-boiled male of film noir.
2. Film Noir Conventions: This chapter provides a theoretical foundation by outlining the key characteristics of film noir, focusing particularly on the male protagonist. It explores the genre's historical context, explaining its emergence in post-World War II America and its stylistic features, including cinematography, narrative strategies, and thematic concerns. The chapter discusses the typical archetypes found in film noir, including the male antihero (often a private investigator), the femme fatale, and the criminal, highlighting their roles and interrelationships. It emphasizes the genre's exploration of themes like social isolation, disillusionment, and moral ambiguity, setting the stage for comparing and contrasting these elements with "Drive." The chapter emphasizes the influence of hard-boiled detective fiction on film noir, establishing a clear link between the literary and cinematic representations of masculinity.
Keywords
Film Noir, Neo-Noir, Masculinity, Male Protagonist, Hard-boiled Detective, "Drive" (2011), Genre Conventions, Archetypes, Femme Fatale, Post-War America, Moral Ambiguity.
FAQ: Analysis of Masculinity in "Drive" (2011)
What is the main topic of this academic paper?
This term paper analyzes the portrayal of masculinity in Nicolas Winding Refn's 2011 film "Drive," comparing it to typical representations of male protagonists in the film noir genre. It investigates how the protagonist deviates from established film noir conventions and the implications of this deviation for the film as a whole.
What are the key themes explored in the paper?
The paper explores masculinity in film noir, the characteristics of the hard-boiled male protagonist, "Drive" as a neo-noir film, deviations from traditional film noir conventions, and shifting representations of masculinity in cinema.
What is the structure of the paper?
The paper is structured as follows: an introduction outlining the central argument; a chapter detailing film noir conventions; a chapter analyzing "Drive" as a neo-noir film; a section specifically analyzing the male protagonist, including his profession and ethical standards and a comparison to the hard-boiled male archetype; a chapter on the shift in masculinity depicted; and finally, a works cited section.
What are the key findings or arguments presented in the paper?
The paper argues that the masculinity portrayed in "Drive" differs significantly from the stereotypical portrayal found in traditional film noir, suggesting a potential shift in genre conventions towards more nuanced and less hard-boiled male characters.
How does the paper analyze the male protagonist in "Drive"?
The paper analyzes the male protagonist's profession and ethical standards, comparing him to the archetypal hard-boiled male found in film noir. It examines how his characteristics deviate from the established conventions of the genre.
What is the significance of "Drive" being considered a neo-noir film?
Classifying "Drive" as a neo-noir film allows the paper to compare and contrast its portrayal of masculinity with the established tropes and conventions of the classic film noir genre, highlighting both similarities and significant departures.
What are the key characteristics of film noir discussed in the paper?
The paper discusses the historical context of film noir, its stylistic features (cinematography, narrative strategies, themes), typical archetypes (antihero, femme fatale, criminal), and its exploration of themes like social isolation, disillusionment, and moral ambiguity.
What are the keywords associated with this paper?
The keywords include Film Noir, Neo-Noir, Masculinity, Male Protagonist, Hard-boiled Detective, "Drive" (2011), Genre Conventions, Archetypes, Femme Fatale, Post-War America, and Moral Ambiguity.
What is the overall purpose of this analysis?
The paper aims to contribute to a scholarly understanding of how masculinity is represented in film, specifically examining the evolution of the male protagonist archetype within the film noir genre and its modern interpretations.
- Quote paper
- Greta Deinert (Author), 2017, How does the male protagonist in the movie "Drive" differ from typical film noir male protagonists?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/387517
