Learning to Drive

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Learning to Drive

R,

2015,

1h 30m,

Comedy/

Drama/

Romance

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Watchlist

Watchlist

65%

97 Reviews

Tomatometer

58%

2,500+ Ratings

Popcornmeter

65%

Tomatometer

97 Reviews

58%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

A literary agent (Patricia Clarkson) whose husband left her and a Sikh driving instructor (Ben Kingsley) on the verge of an arranged marriage find that each has something to learn from the other about starting life anew.

Critics Consensus

The story's a bit predictable, but Learning to Drive is elevated by typically strong work from stars Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

Dec 27, 2016

3/5

Clarkson -- wonderful -- remains one of the least sung and most skilled of America's thinking screen divas.

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Wendy Ide

Observer (UK)

Jun 12, 2016

3/5

Clarkson, in particular, is spot-on; her character unfolds gradually into the serenity that comes with hard-earned self-sufficiency. And the gentle, low-key humour belies some spiky observations about multicultural America.

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Geoffrey Macnab

Independent (UK)

Jun 9, 2016

3/5

This is a low key but witty and often affecting film with excellent performances from Clarkson and Kingsley.

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Hosea Rupprecht

Pauline Media Studies

Sep 13, 2021

I believe Learning to Drive, for a thoughtful adult audience, could be a lead-in to a wonderful conversation about attitudes toward life, especially in the face of loss.

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Feb 3, 2021

3.5/5

A touching movie that isn't so much about the destination - frankly that part is a mild let down - but about the journey and the words. The pleasure of the film is taking the trip and listening in to these two professionals deliver them.

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Allen Almachar

The MacGuffin

Jul 14, 2020

B-

If you're interested in something that goes down smoothly and doesn't try to challenge you in any way, you might find this bit of escapism worth your while.

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Sep 2, 2018

Simple, Cliche and non offensive.

Luke W

Jun 10, 2018

It's simple and cute. The acting from all is lovely. I like nice and this is nice. A nice movie.

Finn R

Mar 29, 2018

Nice slice of life movie. I enjoyed the small glimpse into Indian culture and was impressed, as always, by Patricia Clarkson. Really nice movie about the friendship between a recently separated woman and her Indian driving instructor. I liked how they showed the issues both face while still being an uplifting film. The arranged marriage part was interesting too.

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Anakin M

Nov 11, 2017

Great story. Beautifully acted

Finn R

Oct 27, 2017

I very much enjoyed watching this intercultural friendship develop and blossom. It's sweet and tender on many levels. Love that Wendy grows stronger and confident through her independance. Patricia Clarkson plays the role with enough NYC flair and neurosis for us to get attached, and relate to her struggles and betrayal by her husband. Ben Kingsley shows understanding and patience like we all wish we would get more of in our busy bustling daily lives.

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Poe W

Aug 26, 2017

What kind of bubble does the writer of this film live in? No, weirdo, ICE does not make weekly visits to immigrants from India, and no, New Yorkers do not shout racist obscenities at them every single day. The writer of this script is an armchair warrior, angry at a world that doesn't even exist. Step outside and see that the world away from your computer screen isn't that bad.

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Isabel Coixet

Director

Patricia Clarkson

Wendy

Ben Kingsley

Darwan

Grace Gummer

Tasha

Jake Weber

Ted

Sarita Choudhury

Jasleen

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Synopsis

A literary agent (Patricia Clarkson) whose husband left her and a Sikh driving instructor (Ben Kingsley) on the verge of an arranged marriage find that each has something to learn from the other about starting life anew.

Director: Isabel Coixet
Producer: Dana Friedman, Daniel Hammond
Screenwriter: Sarah Kernochan
Distributor: Broad Green Pictures
Production Co: Broad Green Pictures
Rating: R (Sexual Content|Language)
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 21, 2015, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Aug 10, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.4M
Runtime: 1h 30m

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