Driving Miss Daisy
dir. Bruce Beresford · 1989
Plot
An elderly Jewish widow living in Atlanta can no longer drive. Her son insists she allow him to hire a driver, which in the 1950s meant a black man. She resists any change in her life but, Hoke, the driver is hired by her son. She refuses to allow him to drive her anywhere at first, but Hoke slowly wins her over with his native good graces. The movie is directly taken from a stage play and does show it. It covers over twenty years of the pair's life together as they slowly build a relationship that transcends their differences.
Why watch
"Driving Miss Daisy" is a poignant exploration of friendship that transcends race and age, capturing the bittersweet beauty of human connection against the backdrop of a changing America. With its blend of humor and heart, this film invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of relationships and the passage of time.
Talking points
- race relations in America
- aging and independence
- the evolution of friendship
- societal change over time