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 Content
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
Research Objectives and Core Themes
This paper examines how the male protagonist in the 2011 film "Drive" deviates from the traditional conventions of the film noir antihero, specifically analyzing how his evolving character reflects a shift in modern perceptions of masculinity.
- Theoretical foundation of classical film noir characteristics and aesthetics.
- Classification of "Drive" as a Neo-noir production.
- Analysis of the protagonist's professional life and ethical moral compass.
- Comparison between the "Driver" figure and the traditional "hard-boiled" literary and cinematic archetype.
- Evaluation of the influence of emotional attachment on the protagonist’s shift toward family-oriented values.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Driver - a hardboiled male?
After the analysis of Drivers profession and morals it gets visible that he is operating between the good and the bad. Through the course of the movie he commits crimes himself and seems to have lost his former morals of not being associated with LA´s crime scene. Can Driver be considered hard-boiled male because of his violent acting? Hard-boiled males of the 1940s and 1950s were labeled as strong streetwise men.
Two attributes which are not immediately associated with the protagonist of the movie “Drive“ (2011). Driver can, contrarily to the stereotypical hard-boiled male, be denoted a very intelligent man as he is able to escape the police and knows his way around even if he may not be the strongest. When observing the male characters in the movie, it is obvious that Driver differs from other men in the movie. He does talk very litlle but when he talks it is mostly low and at a slow pace, where other men in the movie talk loudly or even shout. In general he is more the observing type of person, which gives him this detective-like appearance. He often stares into space or just observes situations and only seldomly intervenes actively. On top of that he has a different look to him than the other men in the movie. Men except Driver are either illustrated like the typical lightly overweight but still muscular mafioso (Nino,Bernie), or the slender and simple-minded loser (Shannon, Cook). Driver has a slightly feminine look to him with his satin bomber jacket, sleek hair and boyish face. On the contrary, his car, leather gloves and toothpick make him seem manly and may imply his idealization as the frontier hero of western films.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Outlines the premise that the protagonist of "Drive" represents a departure from traditional genre tropes toward a softer, more family-oriented masculinity.
2. Film Noir Conventions: Defines the essential aesthetic and narrative elements of film noir, including the dark mood, the role of the antihero, and cinematic lighting techniques.
3. Drive as a Neo-Noir: Explores how the film subverts classic conventions while retaining key elements like subjectivity and urban isolation, ultimately categorizing it as Neo-noir.
4. Analysis of male protagonist: Investigates the protagonist's dual life and his struggle between his criminal professional duties and his personal development.
4.1 Profession and ethical standards: Analyzes how the protagonist's various roles as mechanic and getaway driver inform his morality and relationship to the criminal underworld.
4.2 Driver - a hardboiled male?: Contrasts the protagonist’s character with the traditional hard-boiled archetype of the 1940s and 1950s.
5. Shift of masculinity: Discusses the final evolution of the protagonist, focusing on how love and responsibility for others trigger his departure from cold, detached masculinity.
Keywords
Drive, Neo-noir, Film noir, Masculinity, Hard-boiled, Protagonist, Cinematic techniques, Antihero, Nicolas Winding Refn, Ethics, Lighting, Gender roles, Subjectivity, Symbolism, Character development.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper focuses on the character of the male protagonist in the 2011 film "Drive" and investigates how he differs from the classical film noir male antihero.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Central themes include the subversion of film noir conventions, the definition of masculine archetypes, the impact of emotional development on character morality, and the use of cinematic techniques like lighting and music to convey mood.
What is the core research question?
The research asks how the protagonist of "Drive" differs from typical noir protagonists and how this departure reflects a broader shift in the film's overall portrayal of masculinity.
Which scientific method is utilized?
The paper employs film analysis, applying established theoretical definitions of film noir, the hard-boiled archetype, and Neo-noir to the specific visual and narrative evidence found within the movie.
What is covered in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the theoretical history of film noir, the classification of "Drive" as a Neo-noir, a detailed analysis of the protagonist's dual life and ethics, and a critical comparison between the protagonist and the "hard-boiled" ideal.
Which keywords best characterize this research?
Key terms include Neo-noir, Masculinity, Film noir, Driver, Character development, and Cinema studies.
How does the protagonist's relationship with Irene influence his character?
The relationship acts as a catalyst for his development; it shifts his focus from self-preservation to the protection of others, revealing a more compassionate and human side that is atypical for the genre.
Does the film align with the traditional "femme fatale" trope?
No, the paper notes that the femme fatale is absent in "Drive." Irene is portrayed as a mother and a soft, nurturing figure, which directly contradicts the cold, seductive, and dangerous nature of the traditional femme fatale.
What is the significance of the lighting choices in the film?
The director uses lighting to reflect the protagonist's state of mind: warm, bright lighting is used during his interactions with Irene, symbolizing positivity and rebirth, while dark, low-key lighting is used when he is solitary or acting in his criminal capacity.
How is the "open end" of the film interpreted in the paper?
The author interprets the open end as a "scent of paradise," suggesting that it provides a hint of hope that the protagonist may be able to abandon his past life and embark on a new path influenced by his love for Irene.
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- Greta Deinert (Autor:in), 2017, How does the male protagonist in the movie "Drive" differ from typical film noir male protagonists?, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/387517
