Movie: Driving Lessons

Hi everyone! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

I spent parts of Friday and Saturday watching some DVDs with my siblings. One movie I watched is Driving Lessons - a 2006 British film starring Julie Walters, Laura Linney, and Rupert Grint.

A coming of age story about a shy teenage boy who tries to escape from his domineering mother.

Here is the trailer:

Shy and downtrodden Ben dreads yet another dreary school holiday coming around. Seventeen years of living in an absurdly conservative and traditional household with his highly-strung and overbearing mother and quiet, mild mannered vicar father have taken its toll on young Ben. While the other kids are out having fun, Ben spends these precious few weeks attending bible classes, having driving lessons with his mother and helping out at a local old people's home. However, Ben's world is turned upside down when he's employed by an eccentric retired actress Evie. Vulgar, dignified and childish all at once, she certainly is not the kind of person Ben expected when searching through the job listings in the stuffy parish magazine, "Hello Jesus". Evie enters Ben's life with a cataclysmic force, whisking him away on a series of adventures from camping, to performing Shakespeare in the garden, to attending the Edinburgh festival--where he finally meets a girl much nearer his own age. Evie's unconventional and often downright bizarre behavior challenges Ben's beliefs, and forces him to confront the very idea of who he wants to be. Then, when it seems that his new-found freedom is about to be taken away, Ben has to suddenly choose; should he continue to conform, or break out and live his life as his own man?

*from Yahoo! movies*

I have to admit, I borrowed this DVD because Rupert Grint and Julie Walters are in it - I may have mentioned one too many times that I am a HUGE HARRY POTTER FAN. I love them as Ron and Mrs. Weasley.

I wasn't expecting a masterpiece when I watched this - mainly because I haven't really heard much about it. It was a pretty good movie, though. It gave me a glimpse of life in England. It was a change in the kind of movies I watch. It's not the typical chick flick I love, but it definitely has its charm.

Rupert Grint and Julie Walters work well together. :)

Her lines and impeccable timing, together with his aloof, horrified, and funny expressions will make you laugh.

There are also moments that will touch your heart.

Laura Linney did a good job playing Ben's (Rupert) overbearing mother. I've read some reviews talking about how she could've done a better job with her accent in this movie - I didn't really notice, so no problem there for me. ;)

You'll be annoyed at her, you'll laugh at her, you'll feel a teeny bit sorry for her. I don't think she'll be an Academy Award Nominated actress for nothing. Both her and Julie Walters were brilliant.

Rupert Grint also did a great job. For a moment there I forgot all about Ron Weasley. Gone was the goofy and loveably funny best friend of Harry Potter - it was the shy, aloof Ben that was there. I do think there's more out there for Rupert after Harry Potter.

It's not the best movie, but I definitely do not regret watching it. I suggest seeing it when you have extra time on your hands. :D

Have you seen this movie? What did you think of it?

Would you consider watching it?

Have a fabulous week, everyone! :D

*all images from Google*