What was the point with The Driver leaving Bernie's dead body next to the black bag with a million dollors in it?
Why not keep it?
Why not give it to Irene?
Pretentious movie. It's made by a guy from Denmark so I shouldn't be surprised ;)
I think it is made clear that The Driver is not interested in money. In addition the money could still link him to this whole mess he is leaving behind.
He offers the money to Irene when he first is in possession of it, so she and her son can move far away for their own safety. He even offers to come with them to provide security. As Irene declines he has no intend to keep it for himself.
The Driver had no interest in the money and had been trying to give it back ever since he got it. Keeping it would likely just get him into more trouble down the road. Nothing pretentious about the movie, Refn made the film that he wanted to make - either you like it or you don't. I feel sorry that you can't appreciate the movie for what it is. Oh well.
shareThe Driver's whole objective was to ensure Irene is safe. If he took the money with him, the mobsters will continue their quest to find it. Remember, Irene's husband was publicly named in the news report and died at the scene of the crime. So she'd probably be the first person they come after.
Leaving the money by Bernie's dead body provides closure for the mob. They won't get their money back, but once it is reported on the news that Bernie was found dead next to a bag of however much money was stolen from the pawn shop, the mobsters will realize Bernie and his crew were behind the robbery and will have no more reason to pursue the issue.