Common Sense Media Review
By S. Jhoanna Robledo
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Empathetic drama treats mature themes with warmth.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 16+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Learning to Drive
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) finds herself bereft when her husband of 21 years leaves her for a younger woman. As a lifelong New Yorker, she never learned to drive -- and now she has no way to get around easily beyond the city's borders, which she wants to do, in part so she'll be able to visit her daughter, who will soon be living on a farm in Vermont. With some trepidation, Wedny takes on a new challenge: LEARNING TO DRIVE. In the process, she becomes friends with Darwan (Ben Kingsley), the Indian immigrant who serves as her instructor, and they both realize they can absorb important life lessons from each other.
Is It Any Good?
What a delight when a film surprises you with its warmth, empathy, and deep understanding of the human condition -- especially when it's wrapped up in a seemingly trite premise. Such is the joy of Learning to Drive, which has not just one but two impressive leads in Clark and Kingsley, as well as great supporting actors like Mamie Gummer and Jake Weber. The whole cast offers viewers authentic performances, elevating an already pretty good movie close to greatness.
Learning to Drive also makes the most of New York City as its backdrop, though not in the same cliched ways many other films do. The borough of Queens comes alive; the arteries and highways seem nearly as essential as the subways. But it's the movie's exploration of starting over and its strong translation of the (obvious) metaphor inherent in the premise -- a woman learns to drive after the husband she has relied on to ferry her everywhere has left her -- that makes it so memorable.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Learning to Drive's characters. Are they role models? Why or why not? What makes someone a role model? Do people have to be perfect in order for others to look up to them?
How does Wendy's failed marriage differ from Darwan's new relationship? Why is it so hard for him to figure out how to make his wife happy? What is the movie saying about relationships?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 21, 2015
- On DVD or streaming : January 19, 2016
- Cast : Patricia Clarkson , Ben Kingsley , Mamie Gummer , Jake Weber
- Director : Isabel Coixet
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s) , Indian/South Asian Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Broad Green Pictures
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : Friendship
- Run time : 89 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language and sexual content
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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