Powerful

Boring

How wonderful it is to see this fine actress carry a film and carry it so beautifully.

A movie that not only functions as a solid scarefest but a razor-sharp satire.

An interesting award-winning drama about an old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South, in which their relationship that grows and improves over the years, as provided by IMDb. Some great acting and a nostalgic and touching tale of life and overcoming the odds. There a touch comic relief here and there, and a steady plot that you will find entertaining.

Springtime in suburban Atlanta, Georgia. Elderly and self assured Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) takes her car out for some errand and instead puts the car in the wrong gear and almost drives her car off a ten foot embankment into her neighbors yard. Concerned Son Boolie Werthan (Dan Akroyd)who runs a successful family textile business tells his Mother that her driving days are over and her insurance premiums are through the roof. Enter Lanky, bespectacled and retired Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman). Boolie hires the retired Milk truck driver as he watched Hoke conduct the men of the textile plant in an elevator crisis. Boolie in the interview laments the fact that his Mother is difficult and has her own ways of doing things. Boolie insists that his Mother no matter what she says she can't fire you. Your job is to drive her around town. Daisy is totally against having a chauffeur right from the start. Despite the cold shoulder from Miss Daisy, Hoke keeps it positive. Even there first meeting Daisy says to Hoke, "What are you doing?" Hoke replies, "I'm trying to drive you to the store." As Hoke left Daisy's home after the first day, Hoke wishing Daisy a Good night saying, "I'm going Miss Daisy." Daisy in a cold tone replies, "Good!". Daisy has a cook/maid Idella played by Esther Rolle who has some classic remarks in the film as well. One morning Boolie came to his mother's house for an inquiry over a can of missing salmon which Daisy insisted that she was one can short in her pantry. Sort of like a scene out of The Caine Mutiny. Daisy was certain that Hoke stole the salmon. Idella and Hoke noticed Boolie's Car in the driveway as Idella quipped," I wouldn't be in your shoes if the Good Lord Jesus come down and asked me himself." Over time Daisy in her difficult way gets used to the fact that Hoke is her personal driver. They have there spats in the car throughout as Daisy would remark and Hoke would let it pass. There relationship grows as the film continues. But I wonder if Daisy's words were sincere or out of convenience. Anyone who had a Grumpy Grandmother,Nagging Mom ,Quibbling Mother-In-Law,Sourpuss Sisters or a craggy Aunt or even an old Blood and guts Human Resources manager can relate to this unfolding companionship. I was pleasantly surprised by the solid performance of Dan Akroyd as a southern businessman. Jessica Tandy indeed deserved her Oscar as the retired school teacher Daisy Werthan. The cinematography and music score complimented the driving scenes. In life, some people you can never please. Rest In Peace MOM!

A nomination (and a lot of the time the win) for the Oscar for best picture is often bestowed on a film which touches on the subject of prejudice and overcoming it somehow, or at least the hope for surpassing prejudice. The Academy has given the award to films that touch on racial prejudice, such as this film and the disappointing web-life film Crash (which won against a much more brilliant film, Brokeback Mountain, which touches on prejudice of sexual orientation) most likely because it is a "safe pick." This film is one of those "safe picks" which does not do much visually, but manages to depict the great heartwarming story of the play on which it is based.Driving Miss Daisy may not be the most exciting film, but it has a story that is easy to follow as well as a very short duration regarding the typical feature film, keeping anybody engaged as long as the audience cares about characters and their growth within stories. Daisy is depicted as a prejudiced person in denial early in the film, and it is actually quite humorous how she interacts with Hoke (Morgan Freeman) before he becomes her driver. She is a selfish elderly woman who doesn't realize what she is saying at times, and stubborn as a mule, not taking Hoke's help (paid for by her son, played by Dan Aykroyd) until 6 days pass.As Hoke and Daisy spend time with each other they come to learn from each other with great benefit. When it is revealed that Hoke can't read, instead of being uptight with him about it Daisy explains it in a clever way only a previous school teacher like her can do it. Just a few minutes later, a lot of time has passed and it is revealed she is now giving him a book to help him write, so Hoke is overcoming some pretty important struggles with Daisy's help.Hoke warms up to Daisy through the second act of the film, but it takes Aykroyd's character suggesting she let Hoke come to a meeting about Martin Luther King Jr. to get her to understand Hoke's feelings. Daisy gets into a mini-quarrel with Hoke about this, and you can see it in her eyes she regrets that she didn't invite him to such an important event in the eyes of an African American like Hoke. Towards the finale of the film, it is heartbreaking to hear Daisy admit that Hoke is her best friend while she is suffering from what appears to be dementia, and though Hoke says she is only saying that, she assures him it is true.Time goes by quickly in this movie, and in order to keep up with the time you have to pay attention to the years of the various cars, the graying of Dan Aykroyd's hair, or the change in abilities of Hoke and/or Daisy. This is much more interesting than the annoying titles often used in films to remind people that time has passed - this way it does not make the audience feel like a group of idiots. The only thing I found visually interesting about the film is a scene between Daisy and her son in which mirrors are employed to show what is happening in the room for a lengthy take, and the rest of the cinematography in the movie makes it feel simple, with more focus on the characters than the technique as in a play.Still a great story with two great leads.

Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) is an elderly Atlanta Jewish woman. The movie opens with her backing the car into her neighbor's yard. Her son Boolie (Dan Aykroyd) is a wealthy Textile factory owner, and he refuses to allow her to drive. He hires Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) as her driver. She hates having him around at first, but their relationships eventually grows to the closest of friendship.Written by Alfred Uhry from his award winning play, this is a touching evolution of the two's relationship. Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman are absolutely wonderful. Tandy would win the Oscar. The beauty in this is that it doesn't hit the audience over the head. She's not some two dimensional racist. Mostly she doesn't want to put on airs, and she doesn't want somebody bothering her at the her house.