Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
Average Rating: 7/10
Reviews Counted: 43
Fresh: 34 | Rotten: 9
Warm and smartly paced, and boasting impeccable performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.
Average Rating: 7.8/10
Critic Reviews: 9
Fresh: 9 | Rotten: 0
Warm and smartly paced, and boasting impeccable performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.
liked it
Average Rating: 3.5/5
User Ratings: 51,673
My Rating
Movie Info
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 equally 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
Jun 1, 1989 Wide
Apr 29, 1997
Warner Bros.
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Cast
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Morgan Freeman
Hoke Colburn -
Jessica Tandy
Miss Daisy Werthan -
Dan Aykroyd
Boolie Werthan -
Patti LuPone
Florine Werthan -
Esther Rolle
Idella -
Fred Faser
Insurance Agent -
Crystal R. Fox
Katie Bell -
Clarice F. Geigerman
Nonie -
Carolyn Gold
Neighbor Lady -
William Hall Jr.
Oscar -
Bob Hannah
Red Mitchell -
Joann Havrilla
Miss McClatchey -
Ashley Josey
Trooper -
Sylvia Kaler
Beulah -
Ray McKinnon
Trooper -
Muriel Moore
Miriam -
Jack Rousso
Slick -
Alvin M. Sugarman
Dr. Weil -
Indra A. Thomas
Soloist -
-
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All Critics (43) | Top Critics (9) | Fresh (36) | Rotten (9) | DVD (14)
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 succeeds superbly on both levels.
Bruce Beresford's sensitive direction complements Alfred Uhry's skillful adapation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
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).
Far too cosy to serve as an effective social or political metaphor; better to regard it as a solid ensemble piece.
Top CriticThere is an exhilarating, singularly theatrical lightness of touch that is often lost when these settings are made manifest in a movie.
This is Tandy's finest two hours onscreen in a film career that goes back to 1932.
The heart-warming story of how a bitter old Jewess learns to not be such a bitch to a patient Negro driver.
An exquisitely acted slice of cinematic comfort food, Driving Miss Daisy marked the coda of one great acting career and the rise of another.
Touching tale of an unlikely friendship.
It's a bland but decent film that I liked without loving it.
It gets to its hugely emotional destination without ever having to put the foot down; a poignant and provocative road movie.
Ultimately this is an intelligent feel-good movie that had Oscar material stamped all over the screenplay, but lacks the bite or insight that could have turned it into something truly special.
Chief among the film's rewards are the extraordinary performances of its trio of stars, Freeman, Tandy, and Aykroyd.
Tandy and Freeman are terrific in this beautiful film about the commonalities between people who seem so different.
The modest storytelling and likable performances must have impressed the Oscar voters as the movie won the Best Picture Oscar and Best Actress for Jessica Tandy, thus establishing her as screen star at old age.
Morgan Freeman elevates the source material as always.
One of Oscar's Biggest Jokes
One of today's best movies
A toothless message movie, timidly espousing homogenized morals and terrified of offending anyone.
Strikes the right chords in both drama and comedy, but given the setting and subject matter, doesn't really have anything important or original to say.
Audience Reviews for Driving Miss Daisy
I did enjoy and is worth the watch! sweet drama comedy.
Super Reviewer
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- Miss Daisy Werthan: Hoke, what are you doin'.
- Hoke Colburn: I'm just tryin' to drive you to the store.
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- 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!
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- Miss Daisy Werthan: Hoke, you're my best friend.
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Foreign Titles
- Miss Daisy et son chauffeur (FR)
DRIVING MISS DAISY was an interesting film. Itâ(TM)s not totally implausible that an elderly 1960s white woman would befriend a black man, so itâ(TM)s quite realistic. Add the fact that sheâ(TM)s Jewish in and somehow it seems a bit more authentic. Other than the flaws of the script, this was a solidly decent movie. It has its time for light humor, and it has the power to even share with us the laughter Hoke and Miss Daisy enjoy as their friendship solidifies. Furthermore, this is a heartfelt drama that can blend those sweet moments with more sentimental moments. For anyone remotely intrigued by the story, itâ(TM)s well worth a watch.