Rating: PG
Genre:
Drama
Theatrical Release: 12/15/1989(USA)
Release Date: 02/04/2003
SubTitles: English/French/Espanol
Dubbed: English/French/Espanol
Sound: DD1/DDS
Run Time: 99 Minutes
Flags: Adult Language, Suitable for Teens
Distributor/Studio: Warner Home Video
Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by
Alfred Uhry,
Driving Miss Daisy affectionately covers the twenty-five 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 which sweep the South in the 1960s. Nor can Miss Daisy understand why Hoke's "people" are so indignant. It is only when Hoke is retired and Miss Daisy is confined to a home for the elderly that the two fully realize that they've been friends and kindred spirits all along. The supporting cast includes
Esther Rolle as Miss Daisy's housekeeper and
Dan Aykroyd as Miss Daisy's son Boolie (reportedly, playwright Uhry based the character upon himself).
Driving Miss Daisy won Academy Awards for best picture, best actress (Jessica Tandy), best screenplay (Uhry) and best makeup (
Manlio Rachetti).
~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
