Driving Lessons is a typical release in the "quirky misfit finds quirky mentor" subgenre of the coming-of-age film, and after the 2000s, this particular kind of movie isn't much to look at. While this particular kind of film might seem inspirational to some, seeing these same character types interact in this manner ends up being clichéd and just plain tired. However, this film has power in its execution, and it provides a delightful atmosphere; even at its bleakest, it has hope and a wonderful lust for life, which ultimately makes this film genuinely enjoyable.
This film is about introverted Ben Marshall, who in-between learning how to drive takes up a job serving retired actress Evie Walton, who deals with her own personal demons. He struggles to stay true to his religious family while learning how to thrive with Evie's eccentric guidance. Rupert Grint and Julie Walters make this film work, and although their characters may seem archetypal, their performances hold up the rest of the film. At least for me, it was an honest delight to watch their relationship grow from the beginning to the end. Both Grint and Walters play the respective roles of Ben and Evie with so humbled and warm that it just feels good to watch these two in action. However, the rest of the films' aspects are lost in the wake of the two leads; the other characters are in my opinion somewhat underdeveloped; even though they are refreshing, we only get that in bursts and it doesn't nearly seem as natural as Grint and Walters' performance.
The film's main theme of driving your own destiny and being your own advocate are tired; although writer/director Jeremy Brock puts this point across, it's stale; the audience can understand a theme, but it takes a little more effort to make it memorable than I felt Brock gave in the final product. Fortunately, a lot of what is missing in this movie is strengthened by a truly unique script; Jeremy Brock apparently based much of it on his own experiences working for British actress Peggy Ashcroft; maybe it explains why this portion of the plot seems stronger than the other half featuring Ben's religious family, but it does allow for some good emotional grab. The soundtrack is decent, nothing to write home about or detract from, but the inclusion of a band like Salsa Celtica is unique for something so explicitly British. We do also get to see a lot of the United Kingdom's countryside, which serves for a lot of good imagery.
All in all, Driving Lessons, while not particularly groundbreaking or otherwise ingenious, is an enjoyable, pleasurable film. I do believe it could have stood more development in the sense that it could have more to say, but is a treat to watch nonetheless, and is something I think would be a good choice for a positive watch.
This film is about introverted Ben Marshall, who in-between learning how to drive takes up a job serving retired actress Evie Walton, who deals with her own personal demons. He struggles to stay true to his religious family while learning how to thrive with Evie's eccentric guidance. Rupert Grint and Julie Walters make this film work, and although their characters may seem archetypal, their performances hold up the rest of the film. At least for me, it was an honest delight to watch their relationship grow from the beginning to the end. Both Grint and Walters play the respective roles of Ben and Evie with so humbled and warm that it just feels good to watch these two in action. However, the rest of the films' aspects are lost in the wake of the two leads; the other characters are in my opinion somewhat underdeveloped; even though they are refreshing, we only get that in bursts and it doesn't nearly seem as natural as Grint and Walters' performance.
The film's main theme of driving your own destiny and being your own advocate are tired; although writer/director Jeremy Brock puts this point across, it's stale; the audience can understand a theme, but it takes a little more effort to make it memorable than I felt Brock gave in the final product. Fortunately, a lot of what is missing in this movie is strengthened by a truly unique script; Jeremy Brock apparently based much of it on his own experiences working for British actress Peggy Ashcroft; maybe it explains why this portion of the plot seems stronger than the other half featuring Ben's religious family, but it does allow for some good emotional grab. The soundtrack is decent, nothing to write home about or detract from, but the inclusion of a band like Salsa Celtica is unique for something so explicitly British. We do also get to see a lot of the United Kingdom's countryside, which serves for a lot of good imagery.
All in all, Driving Lessons, while not particularly groundbreaking or otherwise ingenious, is an enjoyable, pleasurable film. I do believe it could have stood more development in the sense that it could have more to say, but is a treat to watch nonetheless, and is something I think would be a good choice for a positive watch.