MovieChat Forums > Drive (2011) Discussion > If the Driver knew...

If the Driver knew...

posted 7 years ago by fountainhead (323)
9 replies | jump to latest

...that Bernie was going to kill him as soon as he gave up the location of the money, why didn't he strike Bernie first? It's implied that he knows what's going to happen. Why'd he wait to show him money and allow himself to be stabbed first? Seems a bit clumsy from a guy who's been very observant and good at thinking on his toes throughout the movie.

He leaves Bernie's dead body and the money for the mob to find. He could have had the same result, minus the nearly fatal stab wound, if he killed Bernie as soon as they set foot in the parking lot, don't you think?

[–] fzane (1120) 3 years ago

It fits with the whole "Frog and Scorpion" tale in the movie.

Driver fantasizes about becoming a frog. That is why he did not strike first. He tries to become a frog. And then he realizes that he can't become a frog. Because it's not a choice. He's not a frog. He is a scorpion. And Bernie is a scorpion. They are what they are.

That's why they do what they do. That's why we see the two shadows struggling against each other in the final fight. These are both bad guys. But at the end, one of them is changed. Upgraded to an anti-hero.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Driver tries to level up from Scorpion to Frog but can’t quite make the jump so he settles for Scrog.

[–] Biggs111Mr (247) 2 years ago

Um..I think the Driver really wanted to give Bernie the benefit of the doubt here & not to strike so fast as he usually would when facing things like this. It backfired tho.

[–] Drooch (5333) 2 years ago

Scrog.

[–] SlackerInc (1101) 2 years ago

They were both a bit foolish when you think about it. Driver had killed all these other heavily armed guys who came after him, and Bernie thought he could just take him out alone? But then Driver wasn't as wary as he could have been about avoiding the stabbing in the gut, even if he was definitely ready to strike back.

[–] Melton (4718) 10 months ago

They were both having an off-day.

[–] SlackerInc (1101) 10 months ago

Fair.

[–] BKB (10105) 10 months ago

I just finished watching this movie again.. It could be left up to interpretations whether the "Driver" survived at the end too or if he was hallucinating he was in Heaven?? If he is alive, then he should've took the $$$$$ and went back and got Carrie Mulligan and the kid and left town

[–] DancingintheDark (1675) 8 months ago

Taking the money would have negated Driver’s character arc, not to mention further putting his love interest as well as her son in harm’s way, e.g., No Country For Old Men.