Either I’m in a really good mood, or this trio of trailers looks pretty promising. Read the full post.
Sep 6
2006
08:57 PM ET
Trailer Blazer: 'Driving Lessons,' 'D.O.A.,' and more
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My brother and I saw this on Satuday (16th). We had to travel 30 miles to the nearest cinema showing it, as our local multiplex wasn’t, but it was well worth the trip. Julie Walters was on fine form (as usual, I just love her) and Rupert was brilliant too (its proved to me at least that he can play other characters other than Ron).
The film was funny and poignant, and I just wanted to b*slap Ben’s mother for him. The scene towards the end at the community centre was excellent, I was cheering all the way as he was telling her off, I believe she got her just deserts and Ben and his father were well rid of her. One excellent movie, well worth the time and journey.
I saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival and I have to say that I thought it was amazing. The combination of humor and sincerity really made the movie worthwhile. Its very comical and touching. I honestly have to say that its now one of my favorite movies. I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. Please go see it! Its a great film
A British twist on Harold and Maude, Driving Lessons features a reined-in Rupert Grint and an over-the-top Julie Walters. While it is true that Grint is stone-faced like a redheaded Benjamin Braddock for the first half of the movie, it does not deter from the quirky family film– there are things going on that are out of his character’s experience that would create a shell-shocked reaction. The chemistry between Walters and Grint carries the film, though Laura Linney’s hard work to make her written stereotype human is also notable. These performances combined with a fun poppy soundtrack with artists like Sufjan Stevens, John Renbourn and Salsa Celtica make this kids popcorn flick worth a Saturday afternoon.
I can’t disagree with a previous comment that “Driving Lessons” is more than a little twee, but one man’s indictment is another’s endorsement, I suppose. In my book this film succeeds on pure charm, no small feat in itself. I can’t help but wish the story was a little less conventional given the amount of acting talent in it, but by the end the plot seems more like a backdrop for the character interactions anyway.
Some may find Evie annoying, but I think that’s the point, to emphasize just how much she pushes the reserved Ben’s (Rupert Grint) buttons to force him out of his shell. Ben is equally isolated from reality, living his whole life under the thumb of his overly dependent mother, who Laura Linney manages to breath some life into, despite being a fairly one-dimensional character (ye olde overbearing religious mom).
I was rather impressed with Rupert Grint who I found to give a very honest and believable performance (not to mention sweet as all get-out), I can’t think of many teen actors today for whom I can say that.
All in all I’d say that if you’re willing to sit back and let yourself be charmed by some lovely performances, “Driving Lessons” shouldn’t disappoint. However, if “cute” is not in your movie vocabulary, best to stay away. One other minor note, the soundtrack features the music of Sufjan Stevens prominently, a nice touch.
I caught the first screening of Driving Lessons at the Tribeca Film Festival. Rupert Grint shows he can act past Harry Potter. Laura Linney is amazing as the overbearing mother. Julie Walters is hilarious as Dame Evie Walton, with a mouth worse than a sailor. This film is not only about Driving Lessons, but life lessons. Ben (Rupert Grint) is torn between wanting to obey his overbearing mother and vicar father and wanting to live his own life. It’s an amazing film, from an amazing director whose taken his own life and put it on the screen for everyone to see, and everyone who can, should.
It is a pleasant surprise to see Rupert Grint get to grips with some proper acting. Only the most ardent Harry Potter fan would claim that he was any great shakes in the Potter franchise, so watching his affecting performance here is a relief as much as anything else.
Like Driving Miss Daisy and Transamerica, Driving Lessons is a film about two people with differing world views thrown together in the confines of a car. The acting is deft and the dialogue is strong.
Grint can say more with his angry, furrowed stare than with any line. So they don’t give him much to say. He even managed to maintain that stare when he sank beneath his bathwater. Linney plays a truly frightening holy witch. Farrell is depressingly repressed with a hopeless stoicism. Walters goes way over the top — demanding, manipulating, cursing and generally playing the outrageous English eccentric. It’s all been done many times before, but this cast does a very good job of it too.
Yes, the film obviously was inspired by Harold and Maude, but thankfully Grint and Walters do not consummate their relationship. At least as far as we know, although they spend lots of time sleeping together in a tent. They just become pals and Grint grows up. He learns his “driving lesson.”
I saw this tonight with moderate expectations – I’m not normally a fan of Julie Walters, generally disliking her comedy roles (sorry to any fans, but it’s a personal thing – I just don’t find her funny in comedy).
This was magnificent though – a great performance by all, but Grint and Walters are exceptional! Plenty of laughs, plenty of pathos, great timing and a wonderfully paced film – such a coming of age film wouldn’t normally be something I’d expect to like so much but I can’t recommend this highly enough – and watch Rupert Grint as he matures into a fine fine actor.
Julie Waltera is over the top and you can hardly say it’s a good performance, but arguably so is her character. Ruper Grint, gives a good performance throughout, though in a few places you can’t help seeing a certain “Ron Wesleay” cropping up (especially in some of the more comical facial expression). But generally speaking his body movement, his “minimal acting” (more reacting in this film) seem to be very appropriate for the character. Laura Linney, is splendid! She manages to give a wonderful depth to a character which on paper would be really a caricature.
The whole thing with the crazy guy dressing up like a woman is so bad that it’s just embarrassing! Well, I suppose the performances are all fairly good and the choice of music seem to be quite inspired in many places… Also the general idea about the film is all right I suppose.
Driving Lessons is highly polished mainstream comedy that will keep you snickering under your breath all the way through your bible class. A large amount of f-words (and a UK 15 certificate) sadly prevent any 14yr-olds that haven’t learnt to bluff effectively from seeing it. . . oh, and there’s a nice bit of sex, courtesy a good Scottish lass. Evie and Ben arrive at the Caledonian Hotel and the Book Festival contact soon has him off to a nightclub and then her bed in the true spirit of Scottish hospitality.
Ben learns, through the power of impromptu drama and hard choices of conscience, that there is more to being a man than following the rules. The whole movie has such lovable pacing and unpretentious detail that it is easy to forgive such quirks. The soundtrack concocts a heady blend of Scottish folk, Salsa Celtica, Richard Thompson, Nick Drake and Chopin’s First Nocturne in B flat Minor.
Loosely based on the director’s own experiences growing up as a vicar’s son and working for Dame Peggy Ashcroft, his portrait of middle class London suburbia hits all the right notes: perfectly correct on the outside, and full of abnormally screwed up people behind the net curtains. He pokes fun at religion without ever causing offence and is supported by superb actors and a talented crew.
This is such a good movie that it is hard to say anything bad about it. Sadly the only flaw lies in the undeveloped substance of its central theme, meaning that Driving Lessons will be enjoyed to the hilt today, but too easily forgotten when its ideas are already second nature.
From the general attitude towards this movie, I was happy to find that I really enjoyed it. To me it seemed very much like Harold and Maude, did anyone else feel that way? Either way, I enjoyed it thoroughly; coming-of-age stories shown this well are always worth the watching. Even if the only obvious message is “Carpe Diem”, I shall indeed sieze the day and go camping.
Hi!
After listening to lessons,apply those instructions while driving.
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