“Driving Lessons”
Director Jeremy Brock
Sony Pictures Classics
(Out of 5)
The most important lesson we learn while growing up is arguably
that, no matter how mature or experienced we may seem, we’ll
always be learning lessons.
And despite the title, Jeremy Brock’s touching English
comedy “Driving Lessons” teaches its characters about
more than driving on the right (or the left, if we’re in
England) side of the throughway.
Painfully awkward (and a painfully bad driver) 17-year-old Ben
Marshall and the vulgar, child-like semi-retired actress
“Dame” Evie Walton are the film’s unlikely pair.
Ben begins as Evie’s personal assistant, but soon becomes her
best friend and stand-in son, using work as an excuse to escape his
ultra-Christian community and raucously strict mother.
From the perspective of both Evie and Ben, Brock presents a
parallel coming-of-age story proving that one can come of age at
any time in his or her life ““ young and restless, or old and
alone.
Evie and Ben embark on a figurative and literal journey to find
themselves.
Ben drives (though he does not have a license, hence the
film’s title), but Evie initially controls their destiny.
However, their adventure becomes a partnership as Evie eventually
reveals her own weaknesses and each can clearly not continue on the
road alone.
Though “Driving Lessons” is permeated by life
lessons, the character-driven film most notably captures the beauty
of friendship.
In a hilarious and touching sequence, Evie and Ben recite
Shakespeare (the best-writen dialogue of the film) in an unkempt
garden ““ first expressing their unconventional need for one
another through the words of the bard.
Brock, who also recently wrote “The Last King of
Scotland” brings unquestionable heart to all of his
characters, even the stalwart Laura Marshall (Ben’s
mother).
Laura Linney (“Kinsey,” “The Squid and the
Whale”) captures Laura’s unquestioning religiousness
with sincerity, but also consciously pokes fun at
close-mindedness.
Meanwhile, Rupert Grint (Harry’s red-headed sidekick from
the “Harry Potter” series), captivatingly balances
sympathy and rebellion.
And the prolific English actress Julie Walters provides a quirky
and funny commentary on old-age loneliness.
No doubt her role as Grint’s mother in “Harry
Potter” informed her motherly instincts and perfect chemistry
with the young boy.
“Driving Lessons” is not deeply profound, but it is
beautiful. It is not technically astounding nor perfectly written,
but it knows the value of love and friendship.
By the end of the film, Ben has finally learned to drive. But
the wisest know that the lessons are far from over.