Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

An old Jewish woman and her African-American chauffeur in the American South have a relationship that grows and improves over the years.

Director:

Bruce Beresford

Writers:

Alfred Uhry (screenplay), Alfred Uhry (play)

Stars:

Morgan Freeman, Jessica Tandy, Dan Aykroyd

Won 4 Oscars. Another 17 wins & 24 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Morgan Freeman	...	Hoke Colburn
Jessica Tandy	...	Daisy Werthan
Dan Aykroyd	...	Boolie Werthan
Patti LuPone	...	Florine Werthan (as Patti Lupone)
Esther Rolle	...	Idella
Jo Ann Havrilla	...	Miss McClatchey (as Joann Havrilla)
William Hall Jr.	...	Oscar
Alvin M. Sugarman	...	Dr. Weil
Clarice F. Geigerman	...	Nonie
Muriel Moore	...	Miriam
Sylvia Kaler	...	Beulah
Carolyn Gold	...	Neighbor Lady
Crystal R. Fox	...	Katie Bell
Bob Hannah	...	Red Mitchell
Ray McKinnon	...	Trooper #1

Storyline

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.

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Plot Keywords:

jewish | widow | african american | 1950s | old age | 

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Taglines:

The funny, touching and totally irresistible story of a working relationship that became a 25-year friendship.

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

PG

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

26 January 1990 (USA)

Also Known As:

Driving Miss Daisy

Filming Locations:

Sevananda Natural Foods Grocery, 1111 Euclid Ave. NE, Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$7,500,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$73,745, 17 December 1989, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$106,593,296

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$145,793,296, 31 December 2004

Company Credits

Production Co:

The Zanuck Company, Allied Filmmakers, Majestic Films International

Technical Specs

Runtime:

99 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby Digital (DVD version)

Color:

Color (Technicolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Alfred Uhry based the story of Daisy and Hoke on his own grandmother Lena Fox and her chauffeur Will Coleman.

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Goofs

The American flag in the Cadillac showroom has 50 stars (there were 48 states in 1955).

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Quotes

[Hoke and Boolie are walking thru Daisy's vacated home discussing how Hoke and Daisy have been since Daisy had to be put in the nursing home]
Boolie Werthan: I suppose you don't get out to see her very much.
Hoke Colburn: No, sir... it's hard not drivin'. Every now and then I takes a taxi cab, but don't too many taxis go out yonder.
Boolie Werthan: I'm sure she appreciates it.
Hoke Colburn: Yes, sir.
[pauses]
Hoke Colburn: Some days, she better than others... but then, who ain't?
[Hoke and Boolie both laugh]

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Connections

Featured in WatchMojo: Top 10 Morgan Freeman Performances (2013)

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Soundtracks

KISS OF FIRE
(1952)
Written by Lester Allen and Robert Hill
Performed by Louis Armstrong
Courtesy of MCA Records

User Reviews

'Hoke" Provides A Great Role Model

Man, did I change my mind about this film, maybe more than any film I've ever watched. The first time I saw it I did not like it and thought it was very overrated. Why I gave more looks, I don't really remember but it went to "fair" the next time and "excellent" by the third. I think the main reason is that I shifted my focus off the irritable old woman (Jessica Tandy) to the long-suffering servant (Morgan Freeman).

Once I looked at this story through "Hoke's" eyes, it became an inspiring story. Freeman's character, "Hoke Colburn," simply provides the best the example of a what true servant of God should act like, plain-and-simple. It's one of the best examples on film I've seen of of patience, kindness, dedication and dignity in a difficult situation. It's also always inspiring to see a nice, good person overturn and win over the opposite with sheer kindness.

Another factor that has raised my rating of this film is the latest "newly-restored widescreen edition," which finally presents this movie as it should be, with all its beautiful cinematography. The sets in here are great, a terrific look at the 1950s through storefronts, billboards, automobiles, etc.

One thing this film taught me: "Hoke's" attitude isn't the only important aspect of this story. It's how we, as viewers, look at things, too, that makes a difference.