It's not often that I enjoy a movie as much as I did Driving Lessons. There's really two things that I look for - which I'm sure is what most people look for - it's gotta be a special movie and it's gotta be a great story. Various things add to this. But first, lets tell you what the story is about.
Ster Kinekor says: Described as a mix between The Graduate and Harold & Maude this is a coming-of-age story about a teenager whose staid world is upended when he is employed by a retired actress.
Ben (Harry Potter's Rupert Grint) lives in London with his stern and religious mother (Laura Linney) who allows him to do little more in his school holidays than attend Bible classes, learn to drive, and do his bit at an old-age home. But, when this son of a vicar finds a job (through the pages of parish magazine, 'Hello Jesus') with eccentric retired actress Evie (Julie Walters), his life takes a completely different turn.
Evie's unconventional and sometimes bizarre behavior challenges Ben's beliefs, and forces him to confront the very idea of who he wants to be. But, when it appears that his freedom is about to be whisked from under him as rapidly as it came, Ben has to choose whether to conform or live life as the individual that he has become.
Okay going back to what I was saying about it being a special movie and a great story. By this I mean that I'd much prefer to watch a movie who's story line I haven't seen before as opposed to something like the award winning the Departed which I swear has been written a million times before.
The stuff you'll find at Cinema Nouveau are usually winners. I love eccentric characters and Evie in this movie...I just loved her. She shapes the movie. Absolutely brilliant. I think I might just end up like her at that age. And then there's Ben, the supposedly unattractive (I thought he was so freakin' hart), virgin weirdo with an equally strange mother and father - is lovely to watch as he breaks out of his cocoon to become somewhat of a butterfly.
FOUR SPOONS
1 comment:
I watched it!!! Finally! And I absolutely loved it.
I recently took my son out of the local Christian school and put him into the govt school - and like Ben, I have watched him blossom in this new environment. (Nothing against Christians, just dead against hypocrits).
Julie Walters is brilliant as always. And I loved the fact that they had an American (Laura Linney) play the role of the mother. She was so uptight - and concentrating on her English accent made her appear even more uptight.
Excellent acting all round and a wonderful script. I loved it when Ben turns around to his erstwhile love interest and says: "Fuck off, Sarah!".
And the opening sermon from the father - beautiful.
Thanks for the great recommendation. Keep em coming!
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