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What’s the Story?

Reviewed by Maria Llull

DRIVING MISS DAISY is the tale of an unlikely friendship between two people who need each other. Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy) is an elderly Jewish widow who needs a chauffeur and Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman) is a career chauffeur who needs income. The independent Miss Daisy resists being driven and Hoke, who was hired by Miss Daisy's son (Dan Aykroyd), employs patience and grace to make the transition. Hoke is a black man and though Daisy doesn't believe she is racist or prejudiced, she's confronted with the issue on more than one occasion. The two realize that though their income levels separate them, they are both targets of hatred based simply on who they are.

Is It Any Good?

4

Though Driving Miss Daisy is charming and not at all violent or raunchy, it's nonetheless an adult movie. The themes of prejudice and racism and growing old are presented in a way that's a bit too heavy for young kids.

Grown-ups will probably enjoy watching the friendship that develops between the two main characters, though some may be put off by Miss Daisy's sour attitude and her refusal to budge on some issues that have to do with treating Hoke more like a friend and less like a servant. Hoke, on the other hand, is such a warm-hearted gentleman that he balances out the negativity and brings the most beauty to the film.

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