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 comedy that won a Pulitzer Prize

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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:

Miss Daisy und ihr Chauffeur

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

So convinced was she that she would lose out, Jessica Tandy had a one hundred dollar bet with her agent, that she wouldn't win the Oscar for Best Actress. When she paid up on Oscar night, she told him that it was the best bet she had ever lost.

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Goofs

When Hoke gets back into the car after being questioned by the police, there is foliage from two different trees grouped together, visible in the reflection of the window; probably so the audience can see Hoke through the glass. Then in the long shot of the car pulling away, there are no trees or plants close enough to the car to have caused those reflections.

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Quotes

Alabama trooper #1: [watching Daisy and Hoke leave after checking them out] An old nigger and an old Jew woman takin' off down the road together... that is one sorry sight!

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Connections

Spoofed in It's Garry Shandling's Show.: Driving Miss Garry (1990)

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Soundtracks

WHAT A FRIEND WE HAVE IN JESUS
(1868)
Music by Charles Crozat Converse (1868) (uncredited)
Hymn by Joseph M. Scriven (1855) (uncredited)
Sung by Little Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Choir (as Little Friendship Missionary Baptist Church Choir,
Decatur, Georgia)
Soloist: Indra A. Thomas

User Reviews

Unlikely best friends enter old age together

Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy (in Oscar Winning performance) invoke grace and dignity in this sensitive treatment of race relations and old age. Freeman stars as a gentle, wise black chauffeur in the service of a spunky Jewish widow, played by Tandy. As the years pass, their relationship evolves into a remarkable friendship despite their different backgrounds.

The film is skillfully adapted from the award-winning play, unfolding against the backdrop of civil rights changes in the South. Somewhat simplistic to be considered a strong statement about race relations, the Best Picture/Best Screenpaly Oscar Winner makes a heartwarming effort to give witness to dignified aging.

Freeman was never better, and the chemistry between the two leads is simply beautiful to watch. This is a very special cinema experience.