Deconstruction - Drive Opening Credits

Deconstruction of Drive opening credits

As contemporary film noir is a particularly limited genre, we had to look elsewhere for sources of inspiration. I chose to deconstruct the opening sequence of Drive (2011), as despite not being a typical film noir it does display some elements conventional of the genre.

Immediately the typography is seen, written in a pink display font similar to how film noir titles often combine plain fonts with show fonts for a contrapuntal effect.

The main actors name is seen first followed by the name of the film which emulates the typical order of titles shown in classic film noir. Often the names of actors in old film noir were well known within the genre and big stars such as Bogart and Bacall were in many different films. The title is also shown above a night time cityscape, a typical noir setting. Many films were set within inner cities, particularly shifty backstreets and bars, and the nighttime setting helps to create suspense and mystery. 

The scene then cross dissolves into the man sitting in the car. The titles also appear and reappear using fade in and out transitions which are commonly seen in film noir, for instance in this film opening the titles fade into each other. 

In the next shot where he turns to face the road, the lights from the city illuminate half his face and create contrasting shadows and highlights which is another element heavily used in film noir to create suspense and anonymity. 

For example in this screen cap, a silhouette of two men is seen highlighted by light coming from the edges, creating a dramatic contrast. 

A scene with cars is also shown, an element highly linked with action because of many car chase scenes. Cars are also a stereotypical masculine interest which links to the protagonist of film noirs consistently being male, with females used as plot devices or obstacles to over come (femme fatale).

On the back of the man's jacket a motif resembling a gang sign can be seen, and gangs are a recurring feature seen in film noir. 

Finally, the way the light from the windows shadows on his jacket can be seen as reminiscent of the venetian blind effect seen in detective's offices.

Despite not being an actual film noir, 'Drive' contains many subtle elements of it that can be included in our own work.