X
- 1989
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 39 m
- 1989
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 39 m
Summary This adaptation of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play looks at the 25-year relationship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur.
Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Written By: Alfred Uhry
- 1989
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 39 m
- 1989
- PG
- Warner Bros.
- 1 h 39 m
Driving Miss Daisy
8.1
Where to Watch
Summary This adaptation of Alfred Uhry's Pulitzer Prize-winning play looks at the 25-year relationship between an elderly Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur.
Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Written By: Alfred Uhry
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
81
88% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
12% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
Metascore
Universal Acclaim
Based on 17 Critic Reviews
81
88% Positive
15 Reviews
15 Reviews
12% Mixed
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
0% Negative
0 Reviews
0 Reviews
This is Daisy's story, and Hoke's story. It's a beautiful story, filled with warmth and compassion. It was a glorious evening of theater when I saw it, and it's just as glorious on the screen. [12 Jan. 1990, p.3F]
Beresford is able to move us, one small step at a time, into the hearts of his characters. He never steps wrong on his way to a luminous final scene in which we are invited to regard one of the most privileged mysteries of life, the moment when two people allow each other to see inside.
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 113 User Ratings
8.1
82% Positive
93 Ratings
93 Ratings
16% Mixed
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
User Score
Universal Acclaim
Based on 113 User Ratings
8.1
82% Positive
93 Ratings
93 Ratings
16% Mixed
18 Ratings
18 Ratings
2% Negative
2 Ratings
2 Ratings
This is a drama film featuring themes including old age, civil rights, racism and anti semitism. I found it to be an easy watch, with intriguing characters. I thought it was a good example of historical social commentary. I found some of the dialogue quite amusing - Daisy is very much a stubborn, principled lady, who seems very much aware of what she values and how she expects things to be and won't shy away from saying such. The way she argued with him could seem a bit infuriating at times but I liked his come backs (I found myself cheering for him, as he is a bit of an underdog character) and although there is relatively little, content wise, that goes on, I found it very much to be a watchable and entertaining film regardless.
Cast wise, Jessica Tandy plays Daisy. She looks very much the prim and proper type, with quite a sharp tongue. Meanwhile, Morgan Freeman plays Hoke. Given this film was released in 1989, I can only imagine that he had makeup (or otherwise) to age him, as he can't have been as old as his character appeared, I'd have thought but I liked how Hoke responded to Daisy's various jabs and his facial expressions were amusing. He has the look of a relatively older and wiser type - he is quite a philosophical type and I liked that. I'd go so far as to say that their a good match for each other. Meanwhile, an Akroyd plays the son, Boolie and Esther Rolle plays the African American house keeper, Idella.
The music played is classical in style - I suppose it highlighted the fact that Daisy was certainly from the upper classes. I found some plot elements quite touching - I'm not the sort to easily get emotional or find most things touching as such but I definitely did find myself feeling sorry for Hoke and I enjoyed the way the two of them held thoughtful conversations and also some of the more fly-away/impulsive comments made. Hoke has a nice sense of humour that I felt was relatively endearing - its thoughtful to see how different people, of different backgrounds and belonging to different minorities, see things.
Plot pace wise, its a bit slow but I found myself feeling quite intrigued and entertained throughout and I wouldn't say its especially bland or boring as such. If your keen on character driven dramas (pardon the car related pun there!) then you might very well enjoy this.
I found it quite revealing, some of the things that Daisy admitted to Hoke, which gives an insight into what life was like for people such as Daisy and Hoke, at the time its set in (the 1950s). Of course there is inevitably a moral aspect to this film, with racism clearly being depicted and not just racism but anti semitism as well. Its perhaps not the most visually shocking film, given its 'U' rating of course but it could be regarded as a thought provoking film regardless.
Content wise and as I say, there's relatively little in the way of graphic scenes or offensive material, although there are some quite mild domestic incidents (conflicts perhaps may be an applicable term?) depicted and there are some racist terms used, which could (of course) offend people. There are a couple of sad incidents which are spoken of, described by Daisy and Hoke but these are not visually depicted on screen. Otherwise there's nothing really likely to offend or upset people, I'd have thought. Due to this, as I say the film carries a U rating, making it suitable for all, although I imagine very young kids would find this a pretty boring watch, as its not full of special effects or cartoon characters and the like but thats pretty obvious.
I thought the film looked like a TV film - it seemed as if it had been filmed with a low budget, although thats not to say it seemed flimsy or put me off due to it - if anything, its nicely under-stated. It is a bit sad in parts but it is also light hearted and amusing in others, so its a decent all rounder, I suppose, if you know what I mean.
There's little I could think of in terms of criticisms, although the characters do have relatively thick southern American accents, which perhaps some might struggle to hear properly?.
Yes I'd recommend this film, as I felt it was quite touching, with good characters and cast, some witty dialogue, some funny moments and some sad. Its an easy watch and its relatively thought provoking as well.
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Despite the years of existence that this film has, it still preserves its freshness; especially because he knows how to approach a story of friendship without a border in the midst of an environment marked by racial intolerance. And the film does without being opportunistic, and that is appreciated. To see an afternoon of total relaxation.
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Bruce Beresford's sensitive direction complements Alfred Uhry's skillful adapation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
Freeman's nuanced acting is a marvel.
Mr. Beresford and Mr. Uhry, working in concert, see to it that the essential spirit of Driving Miss Daisy shines through the sometimes deadening effects of literalism.
When something heartfelt occurs in this movie, you accept it without too much squirming. The disciplined yet intuitive way in which these actors connect is a model of ensemble performance.
Movies like Miss Daisy purport to be humanistic or aimed at a higher consciousness, but they're as self-righteous and silly as the one-dimensional characters they depict. [12 Jan. 1990, p.7]
Driving Miss Daisy is such a simple film, but so effective. This movie was released 25 years ago and it still has just as much of an effect on people as it did when it was first released. I think it is safe to say that this movie is timeless. Morgan Freeman gets his breakout movie at over 50 years old with this film and anyone who enjoys his later work will certainly enjoy this film and its easy to see why filmmakers have called on him for so many amazing films over the last 25 years. Freeman's career really starts in this movie while Jessica Tandy's essentially comes to an end (she died in 1994). Her performance resulted in a well earned Oscar. Another important part of this movie is the makeup, which allowed the film to pass further through time and allow the characters to age steadily throughout. Driving Miss Daisy is just a good film and belongs up there with all the greats. I recommend this movie to anyone who wants to see a friendship blossom.
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Little charming movie, but I would not like to see it again: it doesnt happen much. Sure, the characters are well written and the actors are perfect. And it was interesting to see the little differences through time.
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Driving Miss Daisy is a very simple movie depicting the relationship between Miss Daisy and her Driver, Hoke. It is simple in the sense that there isn't that much extreme stuff happening, you basically just see how Miss Daisy and Hoke talk while they're driving together. I missed some sort of large event, some sort of large twist in the story, but I was disappointed. To be honest, if you want to watch a movie like this, just with a bit more drama, action and so on, I highly recommend Green Book.
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you never allow me to turn it on..
Driving Miss Daisy
The writer; Alfred Uhry, has spent a lot on the bonding of the lead characters which is clearly visible and thoroughly moving and entertaining, that clearly stands alone and becomes the highlight of this subtle dramatic feature. Bruce Bereford is decent on executing the scene and offering the appropriate tone to it but a better editing and cinematography would have changed the whole course. Morgan Freeman holds on to his part tightly along with Jessica Tandy who overpowers Morgan completely with her genuinely moving performance. Driving Miss Daisy is a slow pill that is effective to its core but it sure tests one's patience along with it which in the end is worth the drama.
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Dans les années 50, Tatie Danielle euh Tatie Daisy, acariâtre mamie juive de son état, se voit confier un chauffeur de couleur (insérer quelques clichés raciaux -discrets- de part et d'autre) pour se faire conduire à l'insu de son plein gré, car Mémé a la vue qui baisse et un défaut d'attention embarrassant.
C'est l'occasion pour Tata Daisy qui s'est fait forcer la main par son gros lourdaud de fils (un Dan Akroyd devenu bien gras comme un beau porcelet) de nouer une nouvelle relation avec ce vieux monsieur conducteur qui a presque son âge et qui supporte stoïquement ou presque toutes les manies et les humeurs de Tata Gaga.
Ils se marièrent alors et eurent beaucoup d'enfants... et... non ce n'est pas ça, me dit-on dans l'oreillette. Ils n'ont pas poussé la niaiserie jusque là. Mais presque !... Cela dit, notre Tatie Danielle à nous avait -au moins- quelques moments drôles, ce qui n'est pas du tout le cas ici : on reste dans le gnangnan moralisateur et donneur de leçons à la petite semaine.
Et on s'emmerde grave. Le film a le mérite je suppose d'avoir fait connaître Morgan Freeman, l'excellent acteur réduit ici au chauffeur-majordome obséquieux qui renâcle rarement sous le joug de sa vieille maîtresse. Il faut bien débuter quelque part, comme on dit. Mais putain, on compâtit.
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Awards
Academy Awards, USA
• 4 Wins & 9 Nominations
Golden Globes, USA
• 3 Wins & 3 Nominations
BAFTA Awards
• 1 Win & 4 Nominations
