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Driving Lessons

Play trailer Poster for Driving Lessons PG-13 2006 1h 38m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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49% Tomatometer 74 Reviews 71% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
Teenage Ben (Rupert Grint) lives a sheltered life thanks to an overprotective mother (Laura Linney) and a weak-willed father (Nicholas Farrell). The youth takes a summer job as the assistant to Evie Walton (Julie Walters), an aging actress. At first the job is simple, but then Evie presses Ben into service as her chauffeur, even though he lacks a license. Ben must take the first step into adulthood, and learns how to have fun along the way.
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Driving Lessons

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Critics Consensus

Though it has charm, Driving Lessons is a middling offering in the genre where the youngster coming of age meets a quirky senior who teaches valuable lessons about life.

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Critics Reviews

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Amy Nicholson I.E. Weekly Brock subscribes to the new school of British Imperialism: crafting cozy little trifles that conquer foreigners with preciousness. Rated: C Jul 2, 2009 Full Review J. R. Jones Chicago Reader Writer-director Jeremy Brock has backloaded much of the hero's family conflict into the final scenes, which collapse under the weight. Dec 18, 2006 Full Review Tom Keogh Seattle Times Driving Lessons is a poignant miniature that offers [Julie] Walters a chance to be typically wonderful - saucy but deep - and [Rupert] Grint to stretch quite commendably. Rated: 3/4 Dec 8, 2006 Full Review Tricia Olszewski Washington City Paper Driving Lessons is as dull as its title. Mar 6, 2008 Full Review Christopher Campbell Cinematical They say that truth is stranger than fiction, but as we see in most autobiographical coming-of-age films, adolescent truth is just as boring as adolescent fiction. Rated: 2.5/5 Sep 18, 2007 Full Review Brian Webster Apollo Guide The highlight here is most certainly Julie Walters, who hams it up royally, and does a fine job of making her role as an aging actress more than just a cartoon character. Rated: 71/100 Jul 2, 2007 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member Just a bit too dull and I have no interest in seeing the typical mean old lady turn into a nice sweet mentor 2.2 Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/12/23 Full Review Audience Member The film has a lazy British summer vibe to it. Made me wanted to visit certain locations used. Director / Cinematographer has an obsession it seems with the colour green. Soundtrack is interesting and eclectic but whether it suits the film unsure. Certain characters are stock characters and their motivations are not enough explored. Ending is rushed and seemingly out of nowhere. Julie Walters good acting but possibly miscast. I didn't buy her in the part. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/23/23 Full Review william s Half measured coming of age film that squanders it;s few fine performances. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member charming coming of age story Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/21/23 Full Review Audience Member It's nice to see Walters and Grint have more screen time than their Potter films and they work well off each other but the whole film is too calculated and Linney's annoying character doesn't get the comeuppance she deserves. Walters is on the verge of hamming the whole thing up but pulls it back enough at certain times to remind you how great she can be with the right material. Unfortunately this isn't it. Lightweight British comedy (?) fare. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Julie Walters is always good! A fun Friday night watch!! Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/17/23 Full Review Read all reviews
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Driving Lessons

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Movie Info

Synopsis Teenage Ben (Rupert Grint) lives a sheltered life thanks to an overprotective mother (Laura Linney) and a weak-willed father (Nicholas Farrell). The youth takes a summer job as the assistant to Evie Walton (Julie Walters), an aging actress. At first the job is simple, but then Evie presses Ben into service as her chauffeur, even though he lacks a license. Ben must take the first step into adulthood, and learns how to have fun along the way.
Director
Jeremy Brock
Producer
Julia Chasman
Screenwriter
Jeremy Brock
Production Co
Rubber Tree Plant, United Casting
Rating
PG-13 (Some Thematic Material|Sexual Content|Language)
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Rerelease Date (Theaters)
Oct 13, 2006
Release Date (Streaming)
Aug 17, 2007
Box Office (Gross USA)
$238.8K
Runtime
1h 38m
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