Learning to Drive (2014)

As her marriage dissolves, a Manhattan writer takes driving lessons from a Sikh instructor with marriage troubles of his own. In each other's company they find the courage to get back on the road and the strength to take the wheel.

Director:

Isabel Coixet

Writer:

Sarah Kernochan

Stars:

Patricia Clarkson, Ben Kingsley, Grace Gummer

1 win & 6 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Patricia Clarkson	...	Wendy
Ben Kingsley	...	Darwan
Jake Weber	...	Ted
Sarita Choudhury	...	Jasleen
Grace Gummer	...	Tasha
Avi Nash	...	Preet
Samantha Bee	...	Debbie
Matt Salinger	...	Peter
John Hodgman	...	Car Salesman
Michael Mantell	...	Wendy's Dad
Daniela Lavender	...	Mata
Gina Jarrin	...	Paige
Rajika Puri	...	Darwan's Sister Rasbir
Beau Baxter	...	Debbie's Husband
Randy Graff	...	Divorce Attorney

Storyline

Wendy (Patricia Clarkson), a self-absorbed New York book critic, is shocked to reality by the sudden end of her marriage. Always dependent on her husband for driving, she must now learn to take the wheel on her own. Her instructor Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is a Sikh Indian who watches with alarm as his pupil falls apart at the seams. He himself is contemplating an arranged marriage with a woman he has never met. As these two lives intersect, both will change in unpredictable ways.

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Plot Keywords:

windshield wiper | cell phone | laying one's head on someone's lap | teenager | instructional video | 

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Taglines:

It's never too late to begin a new adventure.

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for language and sexual content

Did You Know?

Trivia

Patricia Clarkson approached Sir Ben Kinsgley and Director Isabel Coixet with the script for this movie when they realized how much fun they were having doing Elegy (2008).

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Quotes

[first lines]
Darwan: Slow down. Park there. Mr. Yampolsky, you have followed all the rules. You'll pass your test tomorrow, I'm sure of it. And after you get your license, I suspect you'll buy the biggest, fastest car, and throw all the rules out of the window.
Student Driver: [scoffs]
Darwan: It is not a joke. Remember driving is a freedom. I wish you to enjoy every kind of freedom... As long as you don't hurt someone. You promise me?
Student Driver: Okay, Mr. Singh.
Darwan: Mr. Singh Tur.

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Connections

Featured in The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon: Sir Ben Kingsley/Henry Cavill/Reba McEntire (2015)

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Soundtracks

Mathar
Written by Volker Kriegel
Performed by Dave Pike (as The Dave Pike Set)
Courtesy of MPS Records / EDEL Germany GmbH

User Reviews

Please just watch it (no clever title just see it)

Darwan is a very busy man, holding down two jobs, one as a driving instructor, the other as a Taxi driver. One night he picks up Wendy and Ted, a very emotional argument ensues and he leaves her, explaining he doesn't love her anymore. Wendy's daughter Tasha tells her mum she needs to get her life sorted and to accept Ted's decision, and to start driving. After accidentally leaving a parcel in Darwans's taxi he returns in to Wendy, she asks for driving lessons.

Darwan has to put up with so much, the authorities questioning his being in the country, racial abuse from people. Being a devout Sikh his religion makes his life complete, nearly that is, until his wife to be turns up.

I am so glad I watched this film, it is so watchable, and truly enjoyable. It battles fears and overcoming them. It is very heartwarming in parts.

I needn't go too deeply into the performance of Ben Kingsley, fairly biased I know but whatever he does I love him in, he is an outstanding actor, he's great in this, but Patricia Clarkson is just so good, she puts so much into this movie, screen time between the two is magical.

Loved it 9/10 it's just a lovely movie.

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

UK USA

Language:

English French

Release Date:

21 August 2015 (USA)

Also Known As:

Learning to Drive

Filming Locations:

New York City, New York, USA

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$66,015, 23 August 2015

Gross USA:

$3,447,633

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$5,967,516

Company Credits

Production Co:

Broad Green Pictures, Lavender Pictures, Core Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1