Learning to Drive (film)
| Learning to Drive | |
|---|---|
 Theatrical release poster | |
| Directed by | Isabel Coixet |
| Produced by |
Dana Friedman Daniel Hammond |
| Written by | Sarah Kernochan |
| Starring | |
| Music by |
Dhani Harrison Paul Hicks |
| Cinematography | Manel Ruiz |
| Edited by |
Keith Reamer Thelma Schoonmaker |
Production company |
Lavender Pictures Core Pictures |
| Distributed by | Broad Green Pictures |
Release dates |
|
Running time | 90 minutes |
| Country | United States |
| Language | English |
| Box office | $3.4 million (USA)[1] |
Learning to Drive is a 2014 American comedy drama film. Directed by Isabel Coixet and written by Sarah Kernochan based on a New Yorker article by Katha Pollitt,[2] the film stars Patricia Clarkson as Wendy, a successful book editor taking driving lessons with instructor Darwan (Ben Kingsley) after the breakup of her marriage to Ted (Jake Weber) forces her to become more self-sufficient. This is the second collaboration between Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson, and Isabel Coixet.[3]
The film was named first-runner up for the People's Choice Award at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.[4] The film was released on August 21, 2015.[5]
Plot summary
Learning to Drive is about the unlikely friendship that develops between two very different New Yorkers. Wendy is a sharp-tongued author whose husband just left her, inspiring her to embrace her independence and learn how to drive. Her teacher, Darwan, is a gentle Indian Sikh driving instructor with an impending arranged marriage. As Darwan teaches Wendy how to drive, they both learn valuable lessons about relationships, life, and the value of friendship.[6]
Cast
- Patricia Clarkson as Wendy Shields
- Ben Kingsley as Darwan Singh Tur
- Grace Gummer as Tasha
- Jake Weber as Ted
- Sarita Choudhury as Jasleen
- John Hodgman as Car Salesman
- Samantha Bee as Debbie
- Matt Salinger as Peter
- Daniela Lavender as Mata
- Michael Mantell as Wendy's Father
- Avi Nash as Preet
- Bryan Burton as the student driver
- Nora Hummel as the driving examiner
Reception
Reviews for Learning to Drive were mixed to positive. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gives the film a 66% score from 56 film critics' reviews, with an average 6.3/10. The consensus states: "The story's a bit predictable, but Learning to Drive is elevated by typically strong work from stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley."[7] On another review aggregator, Metacritic, the film has a score of 59 out of 100, based on reviews from 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".[8]
References
- ↑ http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=learningtodrive.htm
- ↑ "Patricia Clarkson as Katha Pollitt in Isabel Coixet's Learning to Drive". Indiewire, August 21, 2013.
- ↑ Labrecque, Jeff. "Ben Kingsley on Learning to Drive and working with the female Scorsese". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved 14 April 2015.
- ↑ "‘The Imitation Game’ Wins Toronto Audience Award". The Wrap, September 14, 2014.
- ↑ McClintock, Pamela. "Broad Green Sets Release Dates for First Six Films". Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 10 April 2015.
- ↑ Saito, Stephen (September 12, 2014). "TIFF '14 Interview: Isabel Coixet on Taking the Wheel for "Learning to Drive"". The Moveable Fest.
- ↑ "Learning to Drive (2015)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
- ↑ "Learning to Drive". Metacritic. Retrieved August 22, 2015.
External links
- Official website
- Learning to Drive at the Internet Movie Database
- Learning to Drive, Katha Pollitt, The New Yorker, July 22, 2002