Driving Miss Daisy
Seen it?1989 | 99 min | Drama
Saturday SpecialWhy it’s a Saturday Special
It won 4 Oscars, it made about 19 times its budget and it earned strong reviews (85% on Rotten Tomatoes). A strong pick for the weekend.
Based on critics, audiences, awards, box office and buzz. Details below.Is it for you?
- Who'll love it
- Made for anyone who loves a strong drama. Critics rate it higher than audiences do, so it rewards patience more than it chases thrills.
- The mood
- Thoughtful and character-driven.
- The pace
- Takes its time with its characters, at 1 hr 39 min.
- What might put you off
- Rated PG. Worth a look first if you have very young kids.
The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters, in a time when those types of relationships were shunned.
How it earned its rating
- CriticsStrong
85% on Rotten Tomatoes, 81 on Metacritic
- AudiencesSolid
7.2 out of 10
- AwardsVery strong
Won 4 Oscars: Academy Awards: Best Picture, Academy Awards: Best Actress, Academy Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium, Academy Awards: Best Makeup. Won 3 Golden Globes: Golden Globe Awards: Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Golden Globe Awards: Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Won 1 BAFTA: British Academy Film Awards: Best Actress in a Leading Role. Won 1 Berlin award: Berlin International Film Festival: Best Joint Performance. Won 1 WGA Award: Writers Guild of America Awards: Best Screenplay – Based on Material from Another Medium. Won 1 PGA Award: Producers Guild of America Awards: Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures. Also nominated for 5 more Oscars, 3 more BAFTAs and 1 more Berlin award. Plus 9 other awards.
- Box office & staying powerVery strong
$146 million worldwide on a $8 million budget; still draws a steady audience long after release
- Buzz & cultural impactStrong
About 350K people sought it out in the past year
Trailer
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Cast & crew
Directed by Bruce Beresford
- Morgan FreemanHoke Colburn
- Jessica TandyDaisy Werthan
- Dan AykroydBoolie Werthan
- Patti LuPoneFlorine Werthan
- Esther RolleIdella
- Joann HavrillaMiss McClatchey
- William Hall Jr.Oscar
- Alvin M. SugarmanDr. Weil
- Clarice F. GeigermanNonie
- Muriel MooreMiriam