Drive: Elevator Scene

I thought that the clear best scene from Nicolas Refn's Drive is the elevator scene.  The camera work is vital to the scene's success. The intensity starts to build when the camera slowly pans down to show that the other guy in the elevator is armed.  The lightening is also really interesting throughout.  Gosling's character begins the scene with the light shining on his dead.  This is symbolic of his good intentions.  He really cares about the girl, and is doing his best to get her out of this mess alive. The next shot is of Gosling pushing her back in to the corner of the elevator, away from the goon.  This motion is also symbolic in that he is putting himself between her and danger.  The lighting echoes this idea as he pushes her into the light, while he is surrounded by darkness.  The darkness represents his having to do evil things, but keeping her in the light maintains her innocence.  He then steps in to the light to kiss her, showing that he is really good at heart and is trying to help her.  This act is done because he knows exactly what is about to happen, and before he engages in brutal combat, he wants to show her that he loves her.  They stand face to face for a prolonged period of time as they silently convey there feeling for each other despite all the circumstances. After Gosling murders the other man, the girl steps out of the elevator.  Gosling turns around, covered in blood and sweating.  The elevator closes, demonstrating that despite there love, there is a clear separation between them.