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Review #300 of 365
Film: Driving Lessons (2006) [PG-13] 98 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $12.00
Where Viewed: Landmark Chez Artiste, Denver, CO
When 1st Seen: 7 November 2006
Time: 9:30 p.m.
Film's Official Website
DVD Release Date: unscheduled
Review Dedicated to: Grandma Sweetheart of S.I. NYC
Directed by: Jeremy Brock (debut)
Written by: Jeremy Brock (The Last King of Scotland)
Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Julie Walters (Wah-Wah) • Rupert Grint (Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire) • Laura Linney (Man of the Year) • Nicholas Farrell (Pearl Harbor)
Soundtrack: order the CD below
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word or less review of this film]
Lacking the twists of Keeping Mum, the humor of Kinky Boots, the deeper meaning of On a Clear Day, and the elegance of The Queen, Driving Lessons, the new dramedy written and directed by Jeremy Brock, will not stand out as one of this year's best films out of the UK. It will be remembered, however, as a wonderful gem featuring a growing up Rupert Grint (Harry Potter's Ron Weasley) and an always-effervescent Julie Walters in a coming of age film about a young man, facing family problems between his parents, and the bond of friendship he forms with a fading British actress of stage, screen, and television. With funky music and an animated opening of street maps, Driving Lessons, puts an unusual foot forward establishing an off-beat cadence throughout the film. It all begins with Ben Marshall (Grint) failing to pass his first driver's license test in a major way. The 17 ½ year-old actually crashes the car. Not to worry, mum Laura (Laura Linney) will continue to instruct him in private lessons until he gets it right. Dad (Nicholas Farrell), meanwhile, is a minister at a nearby church, facing the challenge of a new minister-in-training with lots of bold ideas about what to do with the parishioners. Mostly, however, he has grown quite fond of Laura, and the two, well, sort of engage in things they shouldn't. As his parents' relationship grows increasingly tense, Laura suggests that Ben get a summer job to help the family support a gentleman they've taken in as he mentally recovers from the tragic death of his wife—whom he drove over. Resourceful Ben searches the want ads, and takes a job as the assistant to former well-known British actress, Dame Evie Walton (Julie Walters). The downslide of her career was precipitous leaving her to take a role on TV on the show "The Shipping Magnates". Well, she is quirky, in love with nature, and destined to become Ben's best friend despite many concerns from his overly protective mother. The two bond as she discovers he has the soul of a poet, and he discovers she has much wisdom to share.
"…a wonderful gem featuring a growing up Ron Weasely (Rupert Grint) and an always-effervescent Julie Walters…"
First time director, Jeremy Brock as created great characters in both Ben and Evie, unfortunately the side story that drives Ben to Evie, the impending divorce of his parents and the infidelity of his mother serve more as a distraction than enhancement to the story, especially Laura Linney's dreadful attempt at a consistent British English accent. Were it true that her performance, in general, was so powerful, this might be able to be overlooked, but she simply doesn’t fit the role. Ben's father, Robert, comes across as a complete dolt more interested in bird calls than in his son or wife. De-emphasizing this part of the story would have gone a long way toward strengthening the story which is at its best when Evie and Ben interact. Julie Walters was really meant to play this role suiting it physically and professionally to a tee. Rupert Grint, as he starts to shed some of his Harry Potter image a little differently than co-star Daniel Radcliffe who decided to take to the stage in an English production of Equus, plays a perfect foil to Evie's creative madness. Their chemistry adapts and blends at once. The film shows of the countryside nicely and provides a brief tour of England by car. While by the end, Ben has a great deal more experience driving a car, he has certainly learned a great deal more about life than merely how to drive. Driving Lessons shares many of the excellent production values of its Brit-peers of the year, the story simply got a bit off road in the development of the characters of Ben's parents and in the focus it pays them vs. the Ben-Evie relationship which is the heart of the it.
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Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Click for 'Review Lite' [a 150-word review of this film]
Other Projects Featuring Driving Lessons (2006)
Cast Members
Julie Walters
• Rupert Grint• Laura LinneyNicholas Farrell
Director
Jeremy Brock
| CD Soundtrack |
Driving Lessons (2006) Review-lite [150-word cap]
Lacking the twists of Keeping Mum, the humor of Kinky Boots, the deeper meaning of On a Clear Day, and the elegance of The Queen, Driving Lessons, the new dramedy written and directed by Jeremy Brock, will not stand out as one of this year's best films out of the UK. It will be remembered, however, as a wonderful gem featuring Ben (Rupert Grint--Harry Potter's Ron Weasley) and Edie, an always-effervescent Julie Walters, in a coming of age film about a young man and the bond of friendship he forms with a fading British actress of stage, screen, and television. Their on-screen chemistry adapts and blends at once. While by the end, Ben has a great deal more experience driving a car, he has certainly learned a great deal more about life than merely how to drive.
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