Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Sick Product of a Sick System

Fantastic!

I think this is a new genre that they're all sort of working their way through it and haven't got all the kinks worked out yet but it's a genre that works for me.

The thing I enjoyed most about the film is the fact that it doesn't shy away from being a super-sized-cliche;

"Driving Miss Daisy" was nominated for nine and it won four Academy Awards, and it is considered one of the best films of all time. Although I liked the film and I enjoyed watching it, I really can't see how it deserves its reputation. Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman are really fantastic together and I fully support their nominations, but I wonder what was the competition back in 1990 if this film won Oscar for the Best Picture. Apart from the performance of the two main actors, this drama, in my opinion, does not particularly stand out in any way.7/10

This is not your typical fast paced, action filled, loud sound track, big budget movie. However, It will have a much more powerful impact.It's a story about a proud Southern Old lady - Miss Daisy Werthan - and a sage black chauffeur - Hoke Colburn -. You go through 25 years of changing social backdrop and an ever evolving story of their relationship. Movie is filled with subtle remarks and gestures, you will miss it if you focus on your popcorn. Director demands your attention so gently that you don't want to break his heart by not paying attention.At the end of the movie, you say to yourself :"I will miss these guys".

The film obviously deals primarily with the issue of racial bigotry - specifically in the southern United States. It gives you a great feel for the way things were in that part of the world, from the 40's through to the present day. The film follows the relationship (it would be too simplistic merely to call it friendship) between a widowed Jewish lady, Daisy Werthan, and her black chauffeur Hoke. Miss Daisy is adamant she neither wants nor needs the driver, provided by her exasperated son to ensure she doesn't have any more car accidents. However, over the next quarter century her frostiness thaws (albeit sporadically) and an understanding develops between this unlikely pair.Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman well deserve the accolades they have received for their roles in this film. These talented actors have to share the limelight though - with a truly magnificent classic car ensemble. If you think modern cars are boring, it is worth viewing this film merely for the pleasure of seeing Miss Daisy's succession of cars - beautiful classic models from the late 1940's to the early 1970's - a time when cars truly deserved the title 'automobile'. With great character development and spot-on performances by the cast, Driving Miss Daisy is an example of "old" Hollywood, taking time to tell a story about people you can care about, and without polemics that require choosing sides. That it was a box office smash and Best Picture of the year only goes to show that the public mood in the late 1980's was accepting of a quiet and low-key presentation, as long as it was a good story well told. Overall rating: 8 out of 10.

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.