Sunday, September 19, 2010

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*

34 comments:

  1. I love this movie. I know all of the words. I watched it obsessively for an entire month.

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  2. Great review! I haven't seen it, but your description has put it on my rainy day list. I also tend to watch movies when I have a serious amount of chores to do. Nothing is better to pass the time while folding laundry, washing dishes, etc.

    Thanks for the review! I probably would never have thought to pick this movie up.

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  3. Some Girl-- i'm glad to know that you love this movie! :)

    Lisa-- you are so right! it's good to have something to watch while doing chores. :)

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  4. Omg I have to see that! I can't imagine Rupert in anything besides Harry Potter!

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  5. I haven't but I've heard before that Rupert's acting here was far from Ron. I would definitely consider watching it not just cause I'm a huge Harry Potter fan as well but you did a pretty good review of the movie.

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  6. JillieCat-- me too that's why i'm glad i saw this. :)

    Dianne-- aww, thank you! i'm glad you liked my review. :)

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  7. omg. i've never heard of this movie but it has rupert grint in it! i'm so excited. now it is a must see.

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  8. Lane :)-- yeah, i've never heard of this movie either until i saw the dvd. ;)

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  9. OH that movie is awesome! I love it! :) Thanks for sharing this. It's good to know other people have seen it! I feel like it should get more attention since it's such a nice movie. Rupert Grint is so adorable. Teehee. :]

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  10. yes! I have plans on renting this movie this coming weekend :D Thank you for sharing blogging about it Mimi. ;)

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  11. Hadn't heard of this!

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  12. This is the first time I've watched the trailer. Looks like an interesting movie. I'm a big Harry Potter fan and I think that Rupert Grint's acting skill have certainly improved a whole load over the years. Thanks for sharing Mimi!

    xx

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  13. wow!! wanna see rupert in this movie :))

    THE SECRET LIFE OF "D"

    in Love&Light
    Queen D

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  14. I haven't heard of this one, but it sounds like it might be good. I'll have to add it to my list!

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  15. I never heard of this movie before today. Based on you’re review and the trailer I think I might have to watch it. Thanks Mimi 8D

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  16. After reading this review...OHMIGOSH YES! I desperately need to see this movie. And Rupert Grint? Love, love, love!! :)

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  17. Mimi!:D Thanks for featuring this film!:D

    I've been so much into watching foreign films lately, I will surely watch this one.:D

    Happy Monday!:D

    ***** Marie *****
    allthingsmarie.com

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  18. Aw, I love Rupert Grint. Not the biggest fan of Julie Walters though. I haven't seen this but would like to :-)

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  19. I never knew my mother starred in a movie... lol!! This looks really good actually. I'm going to see if I can find it and watch :)

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  20. Sounds so cute! I'll have to watch this!


    http://wearingitonmysleeves.blogspot.com

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  21. erin :)-- he is adorable! it's good to know that you've seen it too!

    Em-- you're welcome! hope you enjoy the movie!

    Katie-- me either! i just found out about it when i saw the dvd.

    Charming Vanity-- yup, he definitely improved!

    Queen D-- hope you get to see it sometime soon!

    Ashley-- yup, it's a pretty good movie.

    Dizzy-- you're welcome!

    Erika-- rupert grint has a very lovable personality. ;)

    Marie-- me too! actually i started checking out foreign films when you featured some on your blog! :)

    Laura-- haha, yeah, not a big fan of hers either, but she's a good actress.

    OneCraftyFox-- hope you like it!

    Sarah-- i hope you get to watch it too!

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  22. It sounds like a great movie! I hadn't ever heard of it but I love the people you mentioned that are in it! Thanks for sharing.
    Check out our blog to see our giveaway.
    http://sunnydaystarrynight.blogspot.com/

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  23. You need your own series! I'm forever impressed with your reviews and in depth insight!! XO, Kelly

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  24. Sunny & Star-- you're welcome! and thanks for telling me about your giveaway!

    Kelly-- aww, thank you very much! that's so nice of you to say!

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  25. MarchMusings-- i hope you like it too!

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  26. i started this movie. but i never got to finish it! it is really funny! and rupert's kinda cute:D

    Carrie
    http://readmylifeascarrie.blogspot.com/

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  27. Oh I love this movie!! Rupert and Julie Walters are hilarious...esp. Julie! I love her character in this one. It really suits her! :)

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  28. Carrie-- aw, i hope you get to finish it one day! and yeah, he's got this dorky kinda cute look. ;)

    raeny-- they really are hilarious! :D

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  29. Though I doubt I'd watch it (just doesn't look like my type of movie), you gave an excellent review.

    xo

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  30. Never heard of this movie but it sounds interesting. I might need to give it a look :) Great review!

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  31. Cupcake-- thanks! and yup, not everyone would like it. ;)

    Lilly-- thank you! :)

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  32. I love HP too! :)

    sounds super interesting!


    http://vivalabreee.blogspot.com/

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