Learning to Drive (2014)

What a waste of my time!!!

The movie's neither hopeful in contrived ways, nor hopeless in different contrived ways. Somehow it manages to be wonderful

The movie's not perfect, but it sticks the landing of its message. It was engaging - thrilling at times - and I personally thought it was a great time.

It's simply great fun, a winsome film and an occasionally over-the-top luxury fantasy that never flags.

Wow - this one takes the cake in bad movies. Ben Kingsley at 70 odd years, is practically covered in black shoe polish to play this part. It's a travesty. Sikhs around the world should protest. Patricia Clarkson is whiny, pathetic and completely unlike-able. The movie meanders from comical to disjointed. As a viewer, I couldn't wait to get out of this claustrophobic, unbelievable car wreck of a movie.It's unbelievable that any reviewer would actually give this film any decent ink. I apologize to any living or dead driving instructors of Sikh or non-Sikh descent. I only hope that no animals were hurt in the making of this film.

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.

This film tells the story of a woman whose husband just dumped her. She meets a taxi driver who also works as a driving instructor. She decides to take driving lessons, and in the meantime they learn to navigate their marital problems."Learning To Drive" tells very common life problems, and it provides a very realistic sense of how people deal with these problems. Despite the hardships, the characters cope and the film maintains a sense of optimism and lightheartedness. It is also very refreshing to see Indian actors and culture being prominently portrayed in a film, especially because there is a row over a lack of diversity in the Oscars. I hope more films like this will get made.

The vision of this film may not appeal to many due to its confined ambitions but its form and its realization is pleasing and quite accurate in its presentation of ordinary lives: the pitfalls, the highs, and the interchanges that make up the rest of the time.It pitches itself well, rather like a well structured short story. It's characters are distinct; the actors fulfill their on screen dimensions well, and its lack of slick sentimental conclusion is appropriate to its presentation of this character lead piece.The counterpoint of the end to an American marriage, based on romance, and the contractual arrangement of the Sikh marriage is done adroitly, as it would be so easy to make a melodrama of the difference.Clarkson in particular makes the film succeed as she goes through the internal wrangles of a major change of life. Kingsley is fine opposite her and they almost strike a sort of EM Forster-style romance: refined affection without anything messy.