DRIVING LESSONS A film review by Steve Rhodes
Copyright 2006 Steve Rhodes
RATING (0 TO ****): * 1/2
DRIVING LESSONS is a tedious time-waster that has little to do with driving lessons other than to remind us that Ben Marshall, the story's central character, is seventeen years old and hence just learning to drive. Ben, an awkward and lost boy, is played blandly by HARRY POTTER's Rupert Grint.
Ben lives with his insufferable mother and his father (Nicholas Farrell), a priest and a wimp. In the only thing right with the movie, Laura Linney plays Ben's mother. But, try as she does, she is incapable of breathing any life into her clichéd character, who is as clueless as she is incessantly chirpy.
A comedic drama, DRIVING LESSONS is never interesting, believable or funny. Filled with slightly quirky characters in mildly morose settings, the movie never comes close to coming alive.
As first, the story appears to be genuinely interested in Christianity, since many scenes are set at Church or in the parish hall. "God gave us free will so we could choose his love," Ben's father lectures his packed congregation during his weekly sermon. The script, however, has little interest in religion, other than to take a few cheap shots at it.
"Whatever happens behind these walls, we're God's ambassadors," Ben's mother tells him at bedtime. "We show the world a smiling face." This sentiment would make more sense and have more power if something was actually going on "behind these walls," but their lives are remarkably sterile.
Most of the movie concerns Ben's relationship with Evie Walton (Julie Walters), an ancient actress who hires him to do odd jobs around her house. Bonding with her like she is his grandmother, Ben becomes the motormouth's constant companion and soul mate. An alcoholic with severe stage fright, she needs him to get through her days and her small performances, mainly literary readings.
With a bizarre ending that comes completely out of the blue, the movie closes not much better than it began. There is nothing to recommend this pointless picture.
DRIVING LESSONS runs a long 1:39. It is rated PG-13 for "language, sexual content and some thematic material" and would be acceptable for kids around 8 and up.
The film opens nationwide in the United States on Friday, October 20, 2006. In the Silicon Valley, it will be showing at the Camera Cinemas.
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