Learning to Drive

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Learning to Drive

R

2015

1h 30m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

65%

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97 Reviews

59%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A literary agent (Patricia Clarkson) whose husband left her and a Sikh driving instructor (Ben Kingsley) on the verge of an arranged marriage find that each has something to learn from the other about starting life anew.

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Critics Consensus

The story's a bit predictable, but Learning to Drive is elevated by typically strong work from stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Dec 27, 2016

3/5

Clarkson -- wonderful -- remains one of the least sung and most skilled of America's thinking screen divas.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jun 12, 2016

3/5

Clarkson, in particular, is spot-on; her character unfolds gradually into the serenity that comes with hard-earned self-sufficiency. And the gentle, low-key humour belies some spiky observations about multicultural America.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Jun 9, 2016

3/5

This is a low key but witty and often affecting film with excellent performances from Clarkson and Kingsley.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Sep 13, 2021

I believe Learning to Drive, for a thoughtful adult audience, could be a lead-in to a wonderful conversation about attitudes toward life, especially in the face of loss.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 3, 2021

3.5/5

A touching movie that isn't so much about the destination - frankly that part is a mild let down - but about the journey and the words. The pleasure of the film is taking the trip and listening in to these two professionals deliver them.

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Jul 14, 2020

B-

If you're interested in something that goes down smoothly and doesn't try to challenge you in any way, you might find this bit of escapism worth your while.

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Ahmand S

@RT47516756 Sep 20, 2026

Not usually a fan of romantic dramas, but this is not that. This is has a thrilling dynamic.

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Eric W

@RT44269564 Sep 5, 2026

Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley were wonderful. And I appreciated the deep efforts to be authentic about the Sikh community, A community I know well as I've been in that Gurdwara they showed. Was a little disappointed they weren't any Sikh actors, but I understood the draw of Kingsley. Kingsley as Darwan was almost a guru. Sharing deep advice about driving, which was also about life. This is when I will recommend to friends.

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Lee B

@Elenaferrante Jul 4, 2026

Perfect slice of life. Patricia Clarkson is the best actress. I love her. Everyone is good. Interesting merging of cultures. A movie about love and kindness

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Jerod S

@jeroduptown Jun 11, 2022

Oddly mundane and intriguing at the same time. Patricia Clarkson gets left by her husband later in life and finds herself driving with Ben Kingsley in order to get visit her daughter. Small things point to larger rebirth.

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Oct 19, 2020

A little too slow and not as sweet as I thought it may be . I did feel bad for the wife at first though. I also didn’t feel the chemistry between the two leads in a sexual dating type manner 2.2

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Oct 14, 2019

Learning to Drive has good performances and there but the movie falls a little short. The movie is not really that engaging and the ending really doesn’t satisfy the viewer. It’s a nice little flick and the script and writing is well done but I can’t help hoping for a little bit more in this movie.

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Isabel Coixet

Director

Patricia Clarkson

Wendy

Ben Kingsley

Darwan

Grace Gummer

Tasha

Jake Weber

Ted

Sarita Choudhury

Jasleen

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Synopsis

A literary agent (Patricia Clarkson) whose husband left her and a Sikh driving instructor (Ben Kingsley) on the verge of an arranged marriage find that each has something to learn from the other about starting life anew.

Director: Isabel Coixet
Producer: Dana Friedman, Daniel Hammond
Screenwriter: Sarah Kernochan
Distributor: Broad Green Pictures
Production Co: Broad Green Pictures
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 30m

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