The play can't help but be compared with the wonderful film version. The plot is simple enough. Miss Daisy's son hires Hoke to drive his difficult mother. The bulk of the play are scenes of these two characters interacting over the course of around 20 years. Jones' Hoke seems a bit more bombastic than Morgan Freeman's but he is excellent in those scenes where he stands up to Miss Daisy asserting and assuming a dignity you wouldn't expect his humble jokey character to possess. I think no actor does dignity better than James Earl Jones. Angela Lansbury's Miss Daisy is a real treat to watch. She's proud, easily irritated and high strung but we never dislike her because of the vulnerability that Lansbury brings to the role. At a minimum, her performance is on par with that of Jessica Tandy's and maybe arguably superior. Boyd Gaines does a nice job as well. It's a heart warming play that avoids easy sentimentality and the final scene between Hoke and Miss Daisy is a simple and wonderful way to express the affection these two very different people have for one another.
2 Reviews
Real Art
yusufpiskin10 July 2021
Angela Lansbury, James Earl Jones and Boyd Gaines. A great adaptation. Exceptional performances. I gave a standing ovation when it was over. I wonder if the people who were there and watching at that moment knew how lucky they were.
Thanks PBS Thanks Broadway.
Thanks PBS Thanks Broadway.
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