Driving Miss Daisy

Name: Driving Miss Daisy
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: December 15, 1989
Duration: 99 min
Rating: 81
Cast: Dan Aykroyd, Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman

1989

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Universal acclaim based on 17 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 106 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 106 Ratings

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Driving Miss Daisy

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Movie Details & Credits

Warner Bros. Pictures | Release Date: December 15, 1989 | PG

Starring: Dan Aykroyd, Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman

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.

Director: Bruce Beresford

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: PG

Runtime: 99 min

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Critic Reviews

100

Joe Pollack

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]

100

Director Bruce Beresford's tightly focused adaptation retains all the impact of its Pulitzer Prize-winning stage original. Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman give exceptional performances as the aging widow and the sage black chauffeur who enlightens her in the segregated South. Read full review

100

Jay Carr

Driving Miss Daisy, about the deepening relationship between a Jewish matron in Atlanta and her black chauffeur, is a luminous joy of a film, heartbreakingly delicate, effortlessly able through indirection to invoke the civil rights era without ever once slipping into portentous pronouncements. [12 Jan. 1990, p.35]

Ted Mahar

Freeman and Tandy are the whole film, and their interplay is marvelous to watch and hear. [12 Jan. 1990, p.G7]

Vincent Canby

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. Read full review

Henry Sheehan

The fitful development of the script aside, the movie is dominated entirely by Freeman and Tandy, who manage to retain individual star-quality while acknowledging the other's presence. Read full review

Thomas B. Harrison

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]

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User Reviews

DawdlingPoet

Nov 20, 2021

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 aThis 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

alejandro970

Jan 7, 2022

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 isDespite 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

ydnar4

Mar 11, 2015

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 50Driving 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.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

MattBrady99

Mar 18, 2016

While Driving Miss Daisy isn't what i call a best picture winner, since there were more deserving movies that came out that year, but the movie shouldn't get hate just for that.

The movie is sweet, charming and heartwarming. This is the kind of film that granny's go to watch and afterWhile Driving Miss Daisy isn't what i call a best picture winner, since there were more deserving movies that came out that year, but the movie shouldn't get hate just for that.

The movie is sweet, charming and heartwarming. This is the kind of film that granny's go to watch and after it's over their something like "That was nice". Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy were excellent in this movie, as both of them had great chemistry and very entertaining conversations between them.

It dose get kind of dull at times and i do wish the films pasting was a bit better, but that's just me. I say it's worth checking out, because there's plenty of things to like and appreciate in this movie.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

oliver1h

Mar 6, 2013

Good movie which depicts the friendship between two people who are very different, yet very similar in many ways. Morgan Freeman's character (Hoke) is an African-American driver who never attended school, but has wisdom and common sense. Jessica Tandy's character (Miss Daisy) on the otherGood movie which depicts the friendship between two people who are very different, yet very similar in many ways. Morgan Freeman's character (Hoke) is an African-American driver who never attended school, but has wisdom and common sense. Jessica Tandy's character (Miss Daisy) on the other hand is a rich, educated Jewish woman. Through the film these people slowly open up to each other and form a bond. The movie also depicts the many racial and religious issues of the 1950s America. It is worth a look, but I am not sure it deserved 4 Oscars (Jessica Tandy's and Morgan Freeman's performance were great though). Dan Aykroyd's character felt underdeveloped, though He was in a sympathetic role. Overall worth a look, but nothing outstanding, just good.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

DogeGamer2015

Dec 9, 2020

Se nos narra una bonita historia de amistad, que es acompañada por dos excelentes interpretaciones, la recomiendo mucho.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Broyax

Dec 31, 2016

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 défautDans 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.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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