GTGC - #200 - Drive

GoodTrash GenreCast

We watched Drive. After four years and 200 episodes, it finally happened. We are thankful to our listeners and friends who helped us get to 200, and here's to 100 more. On episode 200, Alex, Caleb, Dalton and Dustin gather around to disect a film that has become the GTGC mascot. The hosts love Drive, but is it all style and no substance? That's what GTGC is determined to find out.

This week sees the hosts looking forward. The gameplay involves naming movies the hosts would like to see before episode 300. We would love to hear your thoughts on our suggestions. We then shift into overdrive and move into analysis. Caleb kicks things off by talking about the generic Western tropes that shape Drive. He highlights the similarities between the Driver and the nameless gunsllingers of old. He also presents an outline of plot beats that match up narratively with the Western genre. Alexandra takes over to talk about Drive's commentary on action film. She discusses the film within the film and how it is juxtoposed with the intense yet intimate violence present in the Driver's life. She argues that this approach brings more levity to action cinema and violence. This is contrasted with PG-13 action films and the notorious "sleepy-time bullets".

Dalton builds off of these readings by presenting a new opinion on the action hero. He corrrelates Driver with the recent character played by Ben Affleck in The Accountant. He discusses these nameless, socially awkward characters who may be on the spectrum. A point which is blatantly raised in The Accountant, but he argues it can be found in the subtext of Drive. Dustin wraps up the analysis of episode 200 with a breakdown of three key components of genre. He defines prestige, art house, experimental, and avant-garde cinema. He then tries to find a place to put Drive.

And with that, we wrap episode number 200. Thank you for all of your encouragement over the years, Dear Listener. Grab your gloves, sharpen your straight razor, and let's Drive.

Drive Timestamps

00:37 - Welcome and Introductions
04:41 - Synopsis and Reviews
11:04 - Social Media
11:54 - The Game - Top 3 Films Before Ep. 300
23:53 - Analysis
46:31 - Shelf or Trash/Else or Instead
52:34 - Wrap Up