lastchancename-210-949164 An uncomplicated view of how and why people should abandon false hopes and assumptions about sex, race and privilege. We're all in life together.

gradyharp Now and then along comes a film with a quiet little story about they way we are walking through our lives – a glance at a situation in communication and relationships of friends that makes the film soar above the often tedious riffraff of Marvel comics and gangster action films - an becomes a memorable experience that merits seeing again and again. Written by Sarah Kerochan and directed by Isabel Coixet (Elegy, Paris, je t'aime, My Life Without Me, The Secret Life of Words), one of the primary reasons the film works such magic are the consummate performances by Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. The chemistry among all the cast members is on target.Wendy (Patrician Clarkson), a self-absorbed New York book critic, is shocked to reality by the sudden end of her marriage to Ted (Jake Weber) and the decision by her daughter Tasha (Grace Gummer) to live as a farmer in Vermont. 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, living in America after being jailed in India for political reasons and working two jobs as a taxi driver and a driving instructor, who watches with alarm as his pupil falls apart at the seams. He himself is contemplating an arranged marriage with Jasleen (Sarita Choudhury), a woman he has never met. As these two lives intersect, both will change in unpredictable ways, discovering aspects in each other's backgrounds, beliefs, vocabularies and philosophies.This is an example how a little gentle film can become immensely impressive when in the hands of pros such as Clarkson and Kingsley. Highly Recommended.

zardoz-13 Unless you have taken a driver's test to get your motorist's license, you probably won't appreciate the trials that the heroine endures in "Elegy" director Isabel Coixet's "Learning to Drive" co-starring Ben Kingsley. This entertaining culture clash comedy about a Manhattan book critic who struggles to obtain a driving license after her husband divorces her after 21-years of marriage and the Sikh college professor from India who fled from his native land, sought political asylum, and teaches her is refreshingly down to earth. Everything about "Learning to Drive" is believable and the characters are sympathetic. Statistics indicate that fewer young people are buying automobiles today. Furthermore, people who live in major metropolitan cities where public transportation is readily available have little use for cars. Nevertheless, Wendy Shields (Patricia Clarkson of "Dirty Harry: The Dead Pool") needs to get a driving license so she can visit her daughter Tasha (Grace Gummer of "Margin Call") in Vermont where she is working on a farm. Initially, Wendy is reluctant to get behind the wheel, but Darwan Singh Tur (Ben Kingsley of "Iron Man 3") convinces her to take a ride around in his Drivers' Ed car. When she starts cruising around the Big Apple, Wendy has little idea what she is doing behind the wheel of a car. She sets out to conquer her fear of heights, primarily by driving across a bridge that Singh Tur assures her it is nothing more than a road in the sky. During the course of her driving education, Wendy discovers to her surprise that her husband, Ted (Jake Weber of "Meet Joe Black"), left her because she was too self-absorbed with his own career. Meantime, Darwan Singh Tur is about to marry an Indian woman, Jasleen (Sarita Choudhury of "Lady in the Water"), who has been selected for him in an arranged marriage. They endure challenges as well at the chapel. "Learning to Drive" is a cute little movie.

quincytheodore Let it be known that I wish Ben Kingsley was my driving instructor, my old one was not friendly, that jerk just yelled at me constantly. Learning to drive can be an outright stressful experience, but the movie makes it interestingly light and approachable by using comedic clash of personalities and cultures. Also, props to the leads for realizing the modest troubled characters.Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) is a distraught wife who just finds out that her husband is cheating on her. Thus begin the arduous dance of divorce. Meanwhile, she's decided to take driving lessons as a cathartic act. Darwan (Ben Kingsley) steps in as the instructor. Both of them have a set of unique problems and serendipitously find solace in each other's company.For a leading female in New York, Wendy is a mess. It's not just Sex and The City mess, but complete wreck for about half of the movie. It's a humble depiction of character as she struggles to come in term with the divorce. The movie maintains a less melodramatic tone, this is a more realistic depiction and not a flamboyant drama.Ben Kingsley plays as a Sikh here, at this point he can play any role extremely well, but it's nice to see him as someone other than some viceroy in medieval epic. There's a great respect to his Indian heritage and it easily looks genuine. He appears to be a calm voice of reason, although his life itself isn't perfect. It's rather humbling to see that someone with mentor persona deals with his own problems.The film doesn't have striking development or twist, it's just a few strolls of a metropolis with two relatable characters. It presents a nice presentation, taking time to display the city's nuance with good cinematography as well as spicing the story with steadily flow of light humor. The scenes feel involving even though the two leads live very contrasting lives.Learning to Drive is a lighthearted drama with nice addition to comedy and amazing acting. Highly recommended for casual audience for the humble and modest nature will soothingly entertain wide range of viewers.