Perfect cast and a good story

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

Although I seem to have had higher expectations than I thought, the movie is super entertaining.

Darwan Singh Tur (Ben Kingsley) is a Sikh from Queens. He was a political refugee from India. He teaches driving and drives a cab. He picks up Ted (Jake Weber) and Wendy (Patrician Clarkson) who are fighting about his infidelity. They are getting a divorce. Their daughter Tasha (Grace Gummer) is in Vermont. Wendy needs to drive to the remote farm but she never got a driver license. She decides to take lessons from Darwan. He's hiding his nephew Preet who is an illegal. Jasleen (Sarita Choudhury) arrives from India to get into an arranged marriage with Darwan. Debbie (Samantha Bee) is Wendy's sister. Wendy and Darwan try to solve their personal problems as they become unexpected friends.There are solid human performances from veterans Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. There are some funny moments and a friendly relationship. It's not the most dramatic story but it does have good humanity. The ultimate understated climax could be done slightly better. It's a nice indie with great actors.

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.

In a conversation between Wendy and Darwan, Wendy discovers that the woman Darwan is about to marry was chosen for him by his sister back in India and he has never met her. Wendy states that if her sister had chosen a husband for her he would be some dickless sap. Darwan responds, 'Yes - That is why you are alone and crazy!'. A clash of cultures in this statement? Yes. But it is also a very judgmental statement by Darwan which is in direct contradiction to his other more inner peaceful statements to Wendy.Learning to Drive is a delightful and entertaining story expertly directed by Isabel Coixet. The characters keep your attention and the viewer will both empathize with them and question their motives. Patricia Clarkson gives an excellent performance as a hyper and frustrated professional writer dealing with her sudden life changing situations and career demands. Ben Kingsley seems to be always good in his roles. The movie is worth watching.My only beef with the message given in this story is the statement made by Darwan I quote above. This statement shows the true contempt toward women of this Sikh man. Is he being kind and patient with Wendy because he is expected to by living in the US or is it of his nature? Wendy comes across as one person. Darwan comes across as two persons. There is Darwan in public then Darwan in private. He has chosen to live in the US, which puts some greater value on the individual, but Darwan still lives and thinks as if he is in India. This story centers around Wendy and her breakup with her husband but the story is more about Darwan living in one country and thinking he's still in his home in India and rejecting western values.

"I never learned to cook because I thought my mother would always be there to cook for me. And then there was half the world between us. So I make my own food. Your point ? No point."Driving lessons as a metaphor for life. An original way to highlight this. But just like the lessons in everyday life, this film is a bit slow and repetitive. Granted, you can actually compare this with life. In the beginning a lot goes wrong and you don't really know how to start and comprehend it all. But with a lot of practice and experience, you can cope with it. And sometimes it can go terribly wrong with misery as a result. So with perseverance, following good advice given and not violating too many rules, you could succeed. And you can come up with more things connected to ordinary life. But as I said, it isn't really exciting. Besides that, I also asked myself where the romance was in this movie. The fact that Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) is going through a divorce and Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is forced into a marriage with someone he doesn't even know properly, is not exactly my idea of romance. And it wasn't a real comedy either despite a few funny moments. I'd rather call it a tragic affair. And yet it was a movie I could watch effortlessly till the end. And that because of the sublime acting. So in terms of content, it's not really special. More than once the subject of two strangers, with totally different characters, spontaneously meeting each other and supporting each other so they can handle a difficult period, has already been used before. So here we have Wendy, a book critic and Darwan, a driving instructor. Wendy is an emotionally hurt, dignified lady. Because of her profession she has demarcated a territory around herself where both her husband and daughter aren't allowed in. As a result Ted (Jake Webber) packs his bags and moves in with his mistress (a female writer whose books are also praised by Wendy). Darwan is a Sikh and next to being a driving instructor, he's also a taxi driver at night. A person of traditions who sees it as his life's work, to ensure that Wendy gets her license. Patiently and full of wise advices, he even gets her to drive over a bridge. He's more of a psychiatrist with an instruction car as a relaxant seat.Clarkson and Kingsley form a colorful duo. A mix of cultures. Clarkson, who also had the leading role in "October Gale", is a charming lady I'd love to see shining next to Helen Mirren in another movie. Her charisma is overwhelming and her emotions felt sincere. In contrast there's the calmness and patience of Kingsley. A distinguished and dignified character. The acting of the two main characters made sure this mainstream film was still enjoyable.Ultimately "Learning to drive" is a tender and touching film full of symbolism. However, it lacks a bit of energy and progresses with a calm pace. A bit like how Wendy navigates through traffic. But it shouldn't be always just about suspense and frenzy action scenes. Thanks to the brilliant performances of the two main actors, this movie was fun to watch. For me this movie passed the test.More reviews here : http://bit.ly/1KIdQMT