Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

79% of critics liked it
(43 reviews)
78% of users liked it
(50,264 ratings)

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy affectionately covers the 25-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,… More Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry, Driving Miss Daisy affectionately covers the 25-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 that are sweeping 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 Rochetti). ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG, 1 hr. 39 min.
Directed By: Bruce Beresford
Written By: Alfred Uhry
Genres: Drama, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 1, 1989 Wide
On DVD: Apr 29, 1997
Studio: Warner Bros.

Critic Reviews

Richard Schickel, TIME Magazine
Alfred Uhry's adaptation of his Pulitzer-prizewinning play aspires more to complex observation of human behavior than to simple moralism about it. Precisely because it has its priorities straight, it succeeds superbly on both levels.
Joseph McBride, Variety
Bruce Beresford's sensitive direction complements Alfred Uhry's skillful adapation of his Pulitzer Prize-winning play.
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader
The movie also has something legitimate and instructive to say about the subtlety and intricacy of everyday race relations in the south during the period covered (roughly 1948 to '73).
Vincent Canby, New York Times
There is an exhilarating, singularly theatrical lightness of touch that is often lost when these settings are made manifest in a movie.
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone
This is Tandy's finest two hours onscreen in a film career that goes back to 1932.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
The story holds a potential for sap that is mostly unfulfilled thanks to Beresford's stately approach, the stars' better judgment and the protagonists' sharp wits.
Christopher Lloyd, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
An exquisitely acted slice of cinematic comfort food, Driving Miss Daisy marked the coda of one great acting career and the rise of another.
Maria Llull, Common Sense Media
Touching tale of an unlikely friendship.
Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
It's a bland but decent film that I liked without loving it.
Philip Thomas, Empire Magazine
It gets to its hugely emotional destination without ever having to put the foot down; a poignant and provocative road movie.
, Film4
Ultimately this is an intelligent feel-good movie that had Oscar material stamped all over the screenplay, but lacks the bite or insight that could have turned it into something truly special.
, TV Guide's Movie Guide
Chief among the film's rewards are the extraordinary performances of its trio of stars, Freeman, Tandy, and Aykroyd.
Wesley Lovell, Oscar Guy
Tandy and Freeman are terrific in this beautiful film about the commonalities between people who seem so different.
, Time Out
Far too cosy to serve as an effective social or political metaphor; better to regard it as a solid ensemble piece.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
The modest storytelling and likable performances must have impressed the Oscar voters as the movie won the Best Picture Oscar and Best Actress for Jessica Tandy, thus establishing her as screen star at old age.
Cole Smithey, ColeSmithey.com
Morgan Freeman elevates the source material as always.
John Esther, Pasadena Weekly
One of Oscar's Biggest Jokes
Clint Morris, Moviehole
One of today's best movies
Rob Vaux, Flipside Movie Emporium
A toothless message movie, timidly espousing homogenized morals and terrified of offending anyone.
Derek Smith, Apollo Guide
Strikes the right chords in both drama and comedy, but given the setting and subject matter, doesn't really have anything important or original to say.

Read all 20 critic reviews

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Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Film C

This is an undeniably sweet movie, that you cant help but enjoy, i love morgan freemans laugh in this movie its so funny, although at times the uneducated character can become a bit annoying, that said it is a sweet, amusing movie, its debateable whether it is solely deserving of the… More
This is an undeniably sweet movie, that you cant help but enjoy, i love morgan freemans laugh in this movie its so funny, although at times the uneducated character can become a bit annoying, that said it is a sweet, amusing movie, its debateable whether it is solely deserving of the awards although the acting is superb the movie is nothing spectacular to make you wow i love that movie its amazing because it quite simply isnt. I did enjoy and is worth the watch! sweet drama comedy.
KJ P

Morgan Freeman is as brilliant as always, as Hoke, a chauffeur for Miss Daisy, as her everyday ventures are very eventful. He helps her through her life, and we get many side plots about life along the way. Most of the sets represent perfectly, what is the time period it is set in. I… More
Morgan Freeman is as brilliant as always, as Hoke, a chauffeur for Miss Daisy, as her everyday ventures are very eventful. He helps her through her life, and we get many side plots about life along the way. Most of the sets represent perfectly, what is the time period it is set in. I did find some of the conversations between Hoke and Miss Daisy to be a little annoying a frustrating at times, but that is mostly due to the fact that Hoke's education is less than average. Through some terrific acting by a wonderful cast, a script that represents true life emotions with perfection, and a story that is sweet enough to call great, "Driving Miss Daisy" is a great film for many reasons. It is not the masterpiece like some people hope it to be or say it is, but in the end, that doesn't matter, you just smile. "Driving Miss Daisy" is blissful!
shahmeer h

Driving Miss Daisy is a one of a kind film. It's a simple, funny, and heart-warming tale of learning to change and friendship. Winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Driving Miss Daisy brought a whole new line of records to the Academy Awards. It is the last film to ever… More
Driving Miss Daisy is a one of a kind film. It's a simple, funny, and heart-warming tale of learning to change and friendship. Winner of Best Picture at the Academy Awards, Driving Miss Daisy brought a whole new line of records to the Academy Awards. It is the last film to ever win Best Picture that is PG; it is the last film to win Best Picture without getting NOMINATED for best director; the actress of Miss Daisy Jessica Tandy won the award for Best Actress and from then on became the oldest winner of the Best Actress category; and it is the only film based on an off Broadway production to ever win Best Picture. With these honors, and these wins introduced to you, I want to tell you about the beauty and kindness of Driving Miss Daisy. Based on the play of the same name, Driving Miss Daisy takes place in 1948, in Atlanta, Georgia. It's about a woman named Miss Daisy (Tandy), and when she accidently wrecks her car one morning, her son, Booli (Aykroyd), finds her a chauffeur. The chauffeur's name is Hoke Colburn (Freeman), and once he becomes Miss Daisy's driver, she is determined to dislike him. The film goes on to show the relationship between the two characters, and how totally different people, can become the best of friends. The story is comedic and sure Oscar-bait . It's so heartwarming, so funny, so simple, and so entertaining. I loved every bit of it, from when Miss Daisy wakes up at the beginning, to where Hoke feeds Miss Daisy pie. The way it told the relationship between the two characters was perfect, and the message the film sent out was perfect, as well. My favorite scene was when Hoke was driving Miss Daisy to Mobile, and he needs to use the restroom. She tells Miss Daisy he must pull over, but Miss Daisy refuses and tells Hoke to drive the rest of way, for it's only an hour. Hoke agrees, but, as for he is an old man, he knows his bladder can't hold such a burden. He finally tells Miss Daisy he is pulling over, and as he does, he explains to her he will not be treated like a dog, for he is a grown man. He agrees to be Miss Daisy's driver, and agrees to give her respect, but when it comes to his health and his life, Miss Daisy has no control over such a thing. And as he leaves the car, Miss Daisy sits, in awe. I love this scene because it shows that although Hoke has shown so much kindness and respect and how much he's done for Miss Daisy, Hoke's does not revolves around Miss Daisy's, and that he's finally made a stand for himself. It also shows that when you gotta go, you gotta go. ' The acting within the film was spectacular. Morgan Freeman always put a smile on your face, as he played his jolly, calm character of Hoke to perfection. His laugh was so hearty; it just made you feel good inside. I believe he should've won his nomination for Best Lead Actor, but sadly, that didn't happen. Jessica Tandy played her role of a stern, old Miss Daisy superbly, and she had such a flare of anger it made you feel a bit scared of her. She deserved he win for Best Lead Actress, and it should've been no other way. Dan Aykroyd was also good within the film, but I believe he had a bit too much screen-time, for I believe the film makers just wanted to show off their all star cast. The cinematography within the film was amazing for a dramedy such as this. The way they shot the scenes when the car was being driven was just amazing. It really showed how much they wanted to make the play into a movie, so they could show the potential of the story. The editing was alright. Nothing really great, it was just fine. The makeup was done really well, for it made Jessica Tandy look 60 years old, then 90 years as the movie went on. The direction for Driving Miss Daisy was also well done, and I'm extremely confused as to why it didn't even get NOMINATED for best director. Bruce Beresford is a fine director, and would later get nominated for Tender Mercies, but he really should've got nominated for this one as well. I'm not quite sure why the Academy forgot about this director, but it seems there were more to take his spot. All in all, Driving Miss Daisy is a healthy dramedy not to be missed. My one single flaw for the film was that some of the scenes within the film weren't put to their full potential. Such as the one scene where the synagogue was bombed, and Miss Daisy and Hoke were real close to the destruction, and the blowing up was talked about a lot, but we never even saw the synagogue in its ruins or destruction. It might've been that the film didn't have the budget, but there were a lot of scenes that did this. Besides that, this film was a masterpiece. The message or moral it sent out was the best part of it. Now, there were plenty of morals that I got or went through my head, such as prejudices of different races and religions, illiteracy, and more. But the main lesson taught within this film is that although one might not like someone at first, and no matter how different these two people are, they can always become friends, and always be there for each other. And that lesson made straight to my heart. Please, if you still don't understand why I gave this film a 90%, visit this link below: http://www.rottentomatoes.com/user/935623/blogs/?id=703501
Jameson W

Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy are great! Good movie!
Emile T

Cute, funny, charming and heartwarming. All it wants to do is be cute and makes you squeel and it succeeds.
moon r

A different take on an uncomfortable period in America's recent past as the principals take us on a amiable stroll through the deep south to show by example that a Gordian Knot of troubles can be seen through if we've only the grit ... and so in the final analysis an… More
A different take on an uncomfortable period in America's recent past as the principals take us on a amiable stroll through the deep south to show by example that a Gordian Knot of troubles can be seen through if we've only the grit ... and so in the final analysis an enjoyable film about developing patience.
Brad W

Morgan freeman at his best, Driving Miss Daisy is a great Oscar winner and Im sorry if you hate it because your missing out.
Sanjaya &

Winner of 4 Academy Awards of 1990 including Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Make Up... 'Driving Miss Daisy' is undoubtedly one of the best movie I've ever seen with its simplicity and integrity that make this movie become… More
Winner of 4 Academy Awards of 1990 including Best Picture, Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Make Up... 'Driving Miss Daisy' is undoubtedly one of the best movie I've ever seen with its simplicity and integrity that make this movie become more interestingly to be watched... Not only the story which is great, but the cast did a terrific job, especially two big thumbs up for Jessica Tandy who still gave her best even she is 80 years old... Morgan Freeman and Dan Aykroyd gave their best shot too, and I love their performance in this movie... Starting with a simple story : a son who hire a black driver to drive his mother and since that his mother and the driver make one of the best friendship story that ever told... Even I almost crying when Miss Daisy told Hoke that he was her best friend because it was told from the heart and Jessica Tandy's performance was really terrific... Overall, I can't say how much I love this movie, especially since this movie becomes the Academy Awards' Best Picture and released in the year 1989, which is the year I was born into this world...
Jay H

While certainly not a perfect film by any means, this 1989 Best Picture winner's strong suit is featured in the terrific performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy; Freeman was nominated for Best Actor for his role, while Tandy became the oldest Best Actress winner in… More
While certainly not a perfect film by any means, this 1989 Best Picture winner's strong suit is featured in the terrific performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy; Freeman was nominated for Best Actor for his role, while Tandy became the oldest Best Actress winner in Oscars history (80 years old) for her part. I also quite enjoyed Esther Rolle's seemingly unassailed performance as Tandy's elderly maid; IMDb notes no accolades awarded to her for her part. Though a fairly minor role, Rolle's character was invaluable in the contrast not only between herself and Freeman, but between Freeman and Tandy. However, I feel little can be said for the latter half of its framing, in which many scenes felt out of place and quite possibly redundant. Not much can be said either for the mediocre acting from supporter Dan Aykroyd, who was also undeservedly nominated for an Oscar for his role. But, as I'll say time and time again, sentimentality and heartfelt nature in a movie will make up for many flaws, and this movie hits that note with perfection.
Randy T

Framed by the shameful but accurate social inequities of the period, Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy elevate a storyline that could have easily bogged down in a sea of stereotyped caricatures. Instead there is humor and warmth in abundance.
Wahida K

Very lovely Movie.
Anthony L

A really sweet film. It?s a little bit contrived but it?s still, a really sweet film. I love Jessica Tandy!
Jason O

Morgan Freeman never ceases to amaze me at how well he plays his almost always same, but calm, nice role.
Lorenzo v

"The comedy that won a Pulitzer Prize" An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years. REVIEW This film is simply… More
"The comedy that won a Pulitzer Prize" An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years. REVIEW This film is simply wonderful. The intimacy of the story is not burdened in a clumsy way with big themes, they are understated but never absent: an entire society is concentrated in the life of a few characters, but somehow we realise it only after the end of the movie, because we are captivated by this wonderful friendship, which is not unilateral, it involves three people who love each other in very different ways. Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman are simply impeccable and Dan Aykroyd may have achieved the best performance of his career with this film. If you wish to know what acting really means, watch this film.
Tim S

An excellent film adapted from the stage play, which we read in middle school.
Al S

Morgan Freeman is extroadinary. Jessica Tandy is magnificent. Dan Aykroyd is teriffic. Freeman and Tandy have such marvelous, witty and compelling chemistry. A deeply moving, frequently funny and fasinating movie. An enjoyable, heartfelt and stunning triumph.
Tom E

OH MAN, What a movie -- VERY powerful all the way through!
Candy R

Great film about a woman and her chauffeur.
Jennifer X

this is truly the SWEETEST movie! it's so simple yet so, so beautiful. the connection between morgan freeman and jessica tandy is phenomenal. i have long sinced admired these two actors (jessica tandy in fried green tomatoes, and morgan freeman in shawshank are PHENOMENAL) but… More
this is truly the SWEETEST movie! it's so simple yet so, so beautiful. the connection between morgan freeman and jessica tandy is phenomenal. i have long sinced admired these two actors (jessica tandy in fried green tomatoes, and morgan freeman in shawshank are PHENOMENAL) but their performances in here may possibly be their career-best. maybe slightly overrated because i'm not a huge vignettes fan but these two make it WORK.
Jason S

A good movie with a great cast.