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Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd, Patti LuPone, Esther Rolle ... see more see more... , Fred Faser , Crystal R. Fox , Clarice F. Geigerman , Carolyn Gold , William Hall Jr. , Bob Hannah , Joann Havrilla , Ashley Josey , Sylvia Kaler , Ray McKinnon , Muriel Moore , Jack Rousso , Alvin M. Sugarman , Indra A. Thomas , Morgan J. Freeman , Patti Lu Pone

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy affectionately covers the 25-year relationship between a wealthy, strong-willed Southern matron (Jessica Tandy) and her equa... read more read more...lly indomitable Black chauffeur, Hoke (Morgan Freeman). Both employer and employee are outsiders, Hoke because of the color of his skin, Miss Daisy because she is Jewish in a WASP-dominated society. At the same time, Hoke cannot fathom Miss Daisy's cloistered inability to grasp the social changes that are sweeping the South in the 1960s. Nor can Miss Daisy understand why Hoke's "people" are so indignant. It is only when Hoke is retired and Miss Daisy is confined to a home for the elderly that the two fully realize that they've been friends and kindred spirits all along. The supporting cast includes Esther Rolle as Miss Daisy's housekeeper and Dan Aykroyd as Miss Daisy's son, Boolie (reportedly, playwright Uhry based the character upon himself). Driving Miss Daisy won Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), Best Screenplay (Uhry), and Best Makeup (Manlio Rochetti). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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78% liked it

50,264 ratings

Critics

79% liked it

43 critics

PG, 1 hr. 39 min.

Directed by: Bruce Beresford

Release Date: June 1, 1989

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DVD Release Date: April 29, 1997

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Stats: 1,883 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (1,883)

  • FiLmCrAzY
    May 17, 2012
    FiLmCrAzY
    This is an undeniably sweet movie, that you cant help but enjoy, i love morgan freemans laugh in this movie its so funny, although at times the uneducated character can become a bit annoying, that said it is a sweet, amusing movie, its debateable whether it is solely deserving of... read more the awards although the acting is superb the movie is nothing spectacular to make you wow i love that movie its amazing because it quite simply isnt.
    I did enjoy and is worth the watch! sweet drama comedy.
  • fb733768972
    February 11, 2012
    fb733768972
    Morgan Freeman is as brilliant as always, as Hoke, a chauffeur for Miss Daisy, as her everyday ventures are very eventful. He helps her through her life, and we get many side plots about life along the way. Most of the sets represent perfectly, what is the time period it is set i... read moren. I did find some of the conversations between Hoke and Miss Daisy to be a little annoying a frustrating at times, but that is mostly due to the fact that Hoke's education is less than average. Through some terrific acting by a wonderful cast, a script that represents true life emotions with perfection, and a story that is sweet enough to call great, "Driving Miss Daisy" is a great film for many reasons. It is not the masterpiece like some people hope it to be or say it is, but in the end, that doesn't matter, you just smile. "Driving Miss Daisy" is blissful!
  • brownman83
    July 16, 2011
    brownman83
    Driving Miss Daisy is a one of a kind film. It's a simple, funny, and heart-warming tale of learning to change and friendship. Winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Driving Miss Daisy brought a whole new line of records to the Academy Awards. It is the last film to ever w... read morein Best Picture that is PG; it is the last film to win Best Picture without getting NOMINATED for best director; the actress of Miss Daisy Jessica Tandy won the award for Best Actress and from then on became the oldest winner of the Best Actress category; and it is the only film based on an off Broadway production to ever win Best Picture. With these honors, and these wins introduced to you, I want to tell you about the beauty and kindness of Driving Miss Daisy.

    Based on the play of the same name, Driving Miss Daisy takes place in 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia. It's about a woman named Miss Daisy (Tandy), and when she accidently wrecks her car one morning, her son, Booli (Aykroyd), finds her a chauffeur. The chauffeur's name is Hoke Colburn (Freeman), and once he becomes Miss Daisy's driver, she is determined to dislike him. The film goes on to show the relationship between the two characters, and how totally different people, can become the best of friends.

    The story is comedic and sure Oscar-bait . It's so heartwarming, so funny, so simple, and so entertaining. I loved every bit of it, from when Miss Daisy wakes up at the beginning, to where Hoke feeds Miss Daisy pie. The way it told the relationship between the two characters was perfect, and the message the film sent out was perfect, as well. My favorite scene was when Hoke was driving Miss Daisy to Mobile, and he needs to use the restroom. She tells Miss Daisy he must pull over, but Miss Daisy refuses and tells Hoke to drive the rest of way, for it's only an hour. Hoke agrees, but, as for he is an old man, he knows his bladder can't hold such a burden. He finally tells Miss Daisy he is pulling over, and as he does, he explains to her he will not be treated like a dog, for he is a grown man. He agrees to be Miss Daisy's driver, and agrees to give her respect, but when it comes to his health and his life, Miss Daisy has no control over such a thing. And as he leaves the car, Miss Daisy sits, in awe. I love this scene because it shows that although Hoke has shown so much kindness and respect and how much he's done for Miss Daisy, Hoke's does not revolves around Miss Daisy's, and that he's finally made a stand for himself. It also shows that when you gotta go, you gotta go.
    '
    The acting within the film was spectacular. Morgan Freeman always put a smile on your face, as he played his jolly, calm character of Hoke to perfection. His laugh was so hearty; it just made you feel good inside. I believe he should've won his nomination for Best Lead Actor, but sadly, that didn't happen. Jessica Tandy played her role of a stern, old Miss Daisy superbly, and she had such a flare of anger it made you feel a bit scared of her. She deserved he win for Best Lead Actress, and it should've been no other way. Dan Aykroyd was also good within the film, but I believe he had a bit too much screen-time, for I believe the film makers just wanted to show off their all star cast.

    The cinematography within the film was amazing for a dramedy such as this. The way they shot the scenes when the car was being driven was just amazing. It really showed how much they wanted to make the play into a movie, so they could show the potential of the story. The editing was alright. Nothing really great, it was just fine. The makeup was done really well, for it made Jessica Tandy look 60 years old, then 90 years as the movie went on.

    The direction for Driving Miss Daisy was also well done, and I'm extremely confused as to why it didn't even get NOMINATED for best director. Bruce Beresford is a fine director, and would later get nominated for Tender Mercies, but he really should've got nominated for this one as well. I'm not quite sure why the Academy forgot about this director, but it seems there were more to take his spot.

    All in all, Driving Miss Daisy is a healthy dramedy not to be missed. My one single flaw for the film was that some of the scenes within the film weren't put to their full potential. Such as the one scene where the synagogue was bombed, and Miss Daisy and Hoke were real close to the destruction, and the blowing up was talked about a lot, but we never even saw the synagogue in its ruins or destruction. It might've been that the film didn't have the budget, but there were a lot of scenes that did this. Besides that, this film was a masterpiece. The message or moral it sent out was the best part of it. Now, there were plenty of morals that I got or went through my head, such as prejudices of different races and religions, illiteracy, and more. But the main lesson taught within this film is that although one might not like someone at first, and no matter how different these two people are, they can always become friends, and always be there for each other. And that lesson made straight to my heart.

    Please, if you still don't understand why I gave this film a 90%, visit this link below:
    http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/935623/blogs/?id=703501
  • jamers2011
    June 9, 2011
    jamers2011
    Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy are great!
    Good movie!
  • emilebond007
    May 12, 2011
    emilebond007
    Cute, funny, charming and heartwarming.
    All it wants to do is be cute and makes you squeel and it succeeds.
  • moonrivers
    April 13, 2011
    moonrivers
    A different take on an uncomfortable period in America's recent past as the principals take us on a amiable stroll through the deep south to show by example that a Gordian Knot of troubles can be seen through if we've only the grit ... and so in the final analysis an enjoyable fi... read morelm about developing patience.
  • DreamExtractor
    April 3, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Morgan freeman at his best, Driving Miss Daisy is a great Oscar winner and Im sorry if you hate it because your missing out.
  • ajaymuthecooldevils
    December 4, 2010
    ajaymuthecooldevils
    Winner of 4 Academy Awards of 1990 including Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Make Up... 'Driving Miss Daisy' is undoubtedly one of the best movie I've ever seen with its simplicity and integrity that make this movie become more intere... read morestingly to be watched... Not only the story which is great, but the cast did a terrific job, especially two big thumbs up for Jessica Tandy who still gave her best even she is 80 years old... Morgan Freeman and Dan Aykroyd gave their best shot too, and I love their performance in this movie... Starting with a simple story : a son who hire a black driver to drive his mother and since that his mother and the driver make one of the best friendship story that ever told... Even I almost crying when Miss Daisy told Hoke that he was her best friend because it was told from the heart and Jessica Tandy's performance was really terrific... Overall, I can't say how much I love this movie, especially since this movie becomes the Academy Awards' Best Picture and released in the year 1989, which is the year I was born into this world...
  • rjayhutchinson
    July 30, 2010
    rjayhutchinson
    While certainly not a perfect film by any means, this 1989 Best Picture winner's strong suit is featured in the terrific performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy; Freeman was nominated for Best Actor for his role, while Tandy became the oldest Best Actress winner in Osc... read morears history (80 years old) for her part. I also quite enjoyed Esther Rolle's seemingly unassailed performance as Tandy's elderly maid; IMDb notes no accolades awarded to her for her part. Though a fairly minor role, Rolle's character was invaluable in the contrast not only between herself and Freeman, but between Freeman and Tandy.

    However, I feel little can be said for the latter half of its framing, in which many scenes felt out of place and quite possibly redundant. Not much can be said either for the mediocre acting from supporter Dan Aykroyd, who was also undeservedly nominated for an Oscar for his role.

    But, as I'll say time and time again, sentimentality and heartfelt nature in a movie will make up for many flaws, and this movie hits that note with perfection.
  • flixsterman
    March 31, 2010
    flixsterman
    Framed by the shameful but accurate social inequities of the period, Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy elevate a storyline that could have easily bogged down in a sea of stereotyped caricatures. Instead there is humor and warmth in abundance.

View All Driving Miss Daisy Reviews

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel
February 20, 2009
Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine

Alfred Uhry's adaptation of his Pulitzer-prizewinning play aspires more to complex observation of human behavior than to simple moralism about it. Precisely because it has its priorities straight, it ... Full Review

Joseph McBride
January 28, 2008
Joseph McBride, Variety

Bruce Beresford's sensitive direction complements Alfred Uhry's skillful adapation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play. Full Review

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 5, 2007
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

The movie also has something legitimate and instructive to say about the subtlety and intricacy of everyday race relations in the south during the period covered (roughly 1948 to '73). Full Review

Vincent Canby
May 20, 2003
Vincent Canby, New York Times

There is an exhilarating, singularly theatrical lightness of touch that is often lost when these settings are made manifest in a movie. Full Review

Peter Travers
May 13, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

This is Tandy's finest two hours onscreen in a film career that goes back to 1932.

Rita Kempley
January 1, 2000
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

The story holds a potential for sap that is mostly unfulfilled thanks to Beresford's stately approach, the stars' better judgment and the protagonists' sharp wits. Full Review

Roger Ebert
January 1, 2000
Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times

Driving Miss Daisy is a film of great love and patience, telling a story that takes 25 years to unfold, exploring its characters as few films take the time to do. Full Review

Desson Thomson
January 1, 2000
Desson Thomson, Washington Post

The movie gets you mainly because Morgan Freeman, who played chauffeur Hoke Colburn in the original stage production (and won his third Obie for it), takes the wheel and drives Daisy all the way home. Full Review

Christopher Lloyd
April 11, 2011
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune

An exquisitely acted slice of cinematic comfort food, Driving Miss Daisy marked the coda of one great acting career and the rise of another. Full Review

Maria Llull
January 2, 2011
Maria Llull, Common Sense Media

Touching tale of an unlikely friendship. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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Facts

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    • Miss Daisy Werthan: Hoke, what are you doin'.
    • Hoke Colburn: I'm just tryin' to drive you to the store.
    • Idella: I'm goin', Miss Daisy.
    • Miss Daisy Werthan: All right. See you tomorrow.
    • Hoke Colburn: I'm goin' too, Miss Daisy.
    • Miss Daisy Werthan: Good!
    • Miss Daisy Werthan: Hoke, you're my best friend.
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Driving Miss Daisy Trivia

  • Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy acted together in which movie?  Answer »
  • Jessica Tandy won an Oscar for Driving Miss Daisy ?  Answer »
  • who played in fried green tomatoes, batteries not included, and both Coccoon movies and driving Miss Daisy.  Answer »
  • Which actor drives Miss Daisy in the 1989 movie Driving Miss Daisy???  Answer »
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