Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Genre

Comedy | Drama

Director

Bruce Beresford

Country

USA

Cast

Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd, Patti LuPone, Esther Rolle, Joann Havrilla, William Hall Jr., Muriel Moore, Sylvia Kaler, Crystal R. Fox

Storyline

After a car crash, Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy), an elderly Jewish widow, can no longer drive. Her son (Dan Aykroyd) so decides to hire a driver, Hoke (Morgan Freeman). At first, she refuses to allow him to drive, but Hoke will slowly win her over.

Opinion

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy is not your regular film about civil rights struggles. Instead, it is a heartwarming story of a friendship, wonderfully portrayed by the strong performances of the leading actors.

The story covers a 25-year-period in just a hour and forty minutes, but it doesn't feel rushed at all. Actually, it's comfortably, and warmly paced, and extremely pleasing to be watched. Also it makes of the film the perfect example of why there is no need of action or sex scenes to make something captivating.

The viewer has the opportunity to witness something of rare beauty: the relationship that grows and the friendship that blooms between a racist Jewish lady and her black chauffeur. The most beautiful and striking thing about the film is the extraordinary tenderness the relationship and its slow, and deep evolution is treated with. From seeing two people forced to be together, we get to see Daisy aware of her need of Hoke, not only as a chauffeur, but as loved one. And on this way, the story becomes sentimental and manages to touch your heart.

The direction and the screenplay are well done, the cinematography is wonderful, and the score by Hans Zimmer is touching and fits perfectly. 

The acting is superb. Morgan Freeman gives a wonderful performance as Hoke that will make you love him. Jessica Tandy delivers an outstanding performance as Daisy, filled with dignity: the Academy Award is a hundred percent deserved. Dan Aykroyd also gives a wonderful performance as Tandy's son.

If you have the chance to watch it, please don't miss it. If you have already seen it and you didn't like it, for God's sake, give it another try.

Quotes

Daisy Werthan: Hoke?
Hoke Colburn: Yes'm.
Daisy Werthan: You're my best friend.