Nov 21, 2006 05:44 PM
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(Updated Nov 21, 2006 05:47 PM)
Dir: Jeremy Brock
Cast: Julie Walters, Laura Linney, Rupert Grint.
There is more driving - not suprisingly given the title - in Driving Lessons, but it would be wrong to describe it as a road movie. This is more your standard rites-of-passage picture about a 17-year-old North London boy who finally emerges from the restrictive upbringing imposed by his over-protective, over-religious parents, thanks to the intervention of a batty oold actress.
On a rare break from Hogwarts, Rupert Grint plays Ben, the shy sun of an uptight, Bible-bashing mum. She's partly why he takes a summer job with retired actress Evie (Julie Walters). The quick, smart and shy Ben is fast-tracked from learner driver to chaffeur as they take a road trip to Edinburgh, in which the outrageously liberated Dame Evie tries to broaden Ben's mind.
Ben discovers what life has to offer, loses his "socila autism," inhibitions and, most importantly, his virginity. The journey ends with Ben meeting a girl, losing his virginity - and driving his religious mother, Laura (Laura Linney) up the wall with his new-found love of life.
Driving Lessons may seem a tad OTT, but it's autobiographical. Director Jeremy Brock reportedly based the screenplay on his own experiences working for Dame Peggy Ashcroft. It's hard to belive, though, she was as foul-mouthed as her movie alter-ego. It might not pass with flying colours, but this gentle coming-of-age comedy motors along likeably enough.
It's the matriarchs that dominate, with Linney unleashing a flawless English accent as the Bible-bashing Laura. Walters wild-eyed performance has more than a hint of Acorn Antiques about it. Grint meanwhile, turns up wearing that over-familiar queasy-Ron Weasley look. Judging by this effort, the young redhead still has a lot of work to do before he makes a lot of work to do before he makes a succesful leap from child star to serious actor. However, he does just enough to steer sympathy in the right direction.
And Walters saves the day with a riotous turn that has Bafta Award written all over it. Everybody loves Julie Walters - and she is the driving force in this charming Brit-com, which is being touted as the next Calender Girls.
