Simplicity is a virtue, often misunderstood and falsely interpreted. It's easy for a director to shroud a film such as this one with an overbearing, moral mantle; succeeding in making the audience react with a sense of revelation. Don't misquote me, I am a huge fan of films with profound moral messages, however what made this film stand out was the subtlety of its message.
Referring to the opening line, yes, this film was simple. However, it represented simplicity in its best form: confident, unashamed and beaming. On the face of it, the story isn't complicated: two characters representing different ends of racial divide, discovering that in fact they aren't as different as they may have previously thought. Obviously, key themes are addressed through the story: prejudice being a key one, along with trust, friendship and the value of independence. However, these themes are given a three dimensional presentation through the context in which they are presented.
Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) is an elderly Georgian woman: stubborn, proud and 'unprejudiced'. After crashing her car into her neighbour's garden, her high-flying business owning son (Dan Aykroyd) insists he sources her a driver. Initially she refuses the services of Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) in an attempt to maintain her independence. However, through Hoke's persistent charm and good nature, she slowly finds herself growing closer to her coloured chauffeur. The film then portrays their unique relationship over a period of 20 years, in the context of the social and political prejudices and changes of the period.
The genius of this film is the way a, critically speaking, 'small' story can succeed in portraying such a grandiose perspective on life. In this film you will not find an extensive cast, a variety of locations, expensive embellishments or any over-dramatic acting. Instead you will find two characters, explored effectively through successful characterisation who you are able to feel close to. In many ways, what this film shows is that what makes a memorable movie is the quality of its acting, the honesty and integrity of its story and the messages it envelopes.
Whats more, this film does not stop with evaluating the rewards of developing an unprejudiced outlook, but it puts into context the rewards of exploiting life of all its riches: the things that really matter. Presenting life's twists and turns through charming humour, emotion and self- discovery. The characters are able to meet in the middle, reaching a place where they can both thrive in their new found friendship, without it being over saturated in all the classic clichés in the book.
Overall this quirky drama encompasses all the ingredients of a classic story, whilst making reference to the events of the time. It successfully addresses probing questions, whilst retaining its informality through humour. Simplicity is harnessed to evoke beauty, which is used to illuminate the surprises, discoveries and meanings of life itself.
80/100
Referring to the opening line, yes, this film was simple. However, it represented simplicity in its best form: confident, unashamed and beaming. On the face of it, the story isn't complicated: two characters representing different ends of racial divide, discovering that in fact they aren't as different as they may have previously thought. Obviously, key themes are addressed through the story: prejudice being a key one, along with trust, friendship and the value of independence. However, these themes are given a three dimensional presentation through the context in which they are presented.
Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) is an elderly Georgian woman: stubborn, proud and 'unprejudiced'. After crashing her car into her neighbour's garden, her high-flying business owning son (Dan Aykroyd) insists he sources her a driver. Initially she refuses the services of Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) in an attempt to maintain her independence. However, through Hoke's persistent charm and good nature, she slowly finds herself growing closer to her coloured chauffeur. The film then portrays their unique relationship over a period of 20 years, in the context of the social and political prejudices and changes of the period.
The genius of this film is the way a, critically speaking, 'small' story can succeed in portraying such a grandiose perspective on life. In this film you will not find an extensive cast, a variety of locations, expensive embellishments or any over-dramatic acting. Instead you will find two characters, explored effectively through successful characterisation who you are able to feel close to. In many ways, what this film shows is that what makes a memorable movie is the quality of its acting, the honesty and integrity of its story and the messages it envelopes.
Whats more, this film does not stop with evaluating the rewards of developing an unprejudiced outlook, but it puts into context the rewards of exploiting life of all its riches: the things that really matter. Presenting life's twists and turns through charming humour, emotion and self- discovery. The characters are able to meet in the middle, reaching a place where they can both thrive in their new found friendship, without it being over saturated in all the classic clichés in the book.
Overall this quirky drama encompasses all the ingredients of a classic story, whilst making reference to the events of the time. It successfully addresses probing questions, whilst retaining its informality through humour. Simplicity is harnessed to evoke beauty, which is used to illuminate the surprises, discoveries and meanings of life itself.
80/100