Learning to Drive – ABC Film Challenge – Romance – L – Learning to Drive – Movie Review
Director: Isabel Coixet
Writer: Sarah Kernochan (Screenplay)
Cast
- Patricia Clarkson (The Station Agent)
- Ben Kingsley (Sexy Beast)
- Grace Gummer (Frances Ha)
- Samantha Bee (Sisters)
- Jake Weber (Dawn of the Dead)
Plot: As her marriage dissolves, a Manhattan writer takes driving lessons from a Sikh instructor with his own marriage troubles. In each other’s company they find the courage to get back on the road and the strength to take the wheel.
Runtime: 1 Hour 30 Minutes
There may be spoilers in the rest of the review
Story: Learning to Drive starts when Wendy (Clarkson) learns her husband Ted (Weber) wants to leave her. She is left in shock by the situation as she needs to figure out what to do with her life now. Her daughter Tasha (Gummer) has suggested she come to stay with her. However, Wendy isn’t ready to give up her life in New York.
When Wendy has a chance meeting with driving instructor Darwan (Kingsley), she takes the first steps in learning a new skill. Meanwhile, Darwan is dealing with his own problems with a new wedding planned for him. The unlikely new friendship shows the positives in moving outside of your own comfort zone.
Verdict on Learning to Drive
Learning to Drive is a romantic comedy following two lost souls in New York City. One is facing a divorce, while the other struggles to deal with an arranged marriage. As the two become friends, they learn to help each other with their problems to help them live better futures.
This is a nice movie that gets to show you that you can always find a new path in life. It is about the people around you that change you, showing you things, you never imagined seeing. There is plenty of heart in the story and the performances from Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley only make the movie even more entertaining.
Final Thoughts – Learning to Drive is an entertaining treat about finding passion in life.
