Tanto's decision to help the rookie "is kind of like the father and son passing of the torch," Stallone notes. "Quite often the father may not have what is takes to succeed, but what he does have is experience and knowledge. If one can convey without ego, 'Here are all my life sufferings. Here's everything I've had to learn the hard way. If you can avoid doing what I've done and learn from the good and bad, I've succeeded.' Then one can celebrate success in another's achievements."
Over the course of the story, Joe discovers a surprising strength in coming to terms with his lost dreams and wasted potential. Joe's quiet struggle with the pain and choices of his past give way to a new generosity of spirit when he recognizes that proving onesself doesn't necessarily mean winning the big race.
For Kip Pardue, who portrays the rookie driver Jimmy Bly, being a winner means focusing on his behavior both on and off the track. "When we first meet Jimmy, he's so overwhelmed by pressure, media attention and responsibility, you know something has to blow," Pardue says. "He has to learn that what happens off the track affects him on the track. His journey is a great metaphor for getting back to what you're good at, and for Jimmy, that's driving."
Pardue also recognizes parallels between his role of a fast-rising race car driver and his experiences as a newcomer to Hollywood. "I saw a lot of myself in Jimmy Bly," Pardue says. "I relate to him in a lot of ways because all these wonderful things are happening to him and he doesn't know exactly how to handle all the stress and responsibilities that come with the job. There are a lot of people telling him what to do. a lot of temptations and a lot of pressure, and Hollywood is a very similar environment."
Another character who grapples with temptation in "Driven" is world champion driver Beau Brandenburg (TIL SCHWEIGER), whose character is losing his edge on rookie sensation Jimmy Bly. "Racing is the most important thing in Beau's life," says Schweiger, the acclaimed German actor, director and producer. "He's absolutely dedicated to it. So when a hot new driver threatens his title, he breaks up with his longtime girlfriend to frilly focus on racing."
Beau blames his longtime girlfriend Sophia (ESTELLA WARREN) for his difficulties on the track and breaks up with her in a desperate bid to stay ahead of Jimmy. "He thinks he'll keep his edge if he gets rid of all the distractions," Schweiger explains. "But what he discovers is his passion for Sophia is so strong, he's even more distracted by her after their break-up."
Viewing the breakup as an opportunity to glean the champion's secrets and rattle his concentration, Jimmy Bly capitalizes on Brandenburg's anxiety, setting his sights on Brandenburg's number one ranking and his ex-girlfriend. "Jimmy sees Sophia as a kind of trophy," Pardue says. "He uses her because he's convinced that Beau Brandenburg is the world champion because he has something Jimmy doesn't have."
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