It is an American comedy drama film. Directed by Bruce Beresford. Written by Alfred Uhry. Starring Jessica Tandy, Morgan Freeman, Dan Aykroyd.
It is based on Alfred Uhry “s 1987 play. Freeman reprises his role from the original Off Broadway production.
The story defines Daisy & her point of view through a network of relationships & emotions by focusing on her home life, synagogue. friends, family, fears & concerns over twenty five years period.
Released on 15 December 1989.
Made on a budget of $ 7.5 million, it garnered $ 145.8 million.
It was a critical & commercial success upon its release. At the 62 nd Academy awards it received nine nominations. Winning four, Best picture, Best Actress, Best make up & Best adapted Screenplay.
As of 2025, it is the most recent PG rated film to have won Best picture.
The film explores racism against African Americans & antisemitism in the South. But the picturization is gentle & not preachy. We get the point & yet it is never in your face.
When Daisy hears Martin Luther King’s words, ‘the greatest tragedy was not the vitriolic words & the violent actions of the bad people, but the appalling silence & indifference of the good people’. She is struck & so are we.
It is still applicable today.
Rotten Tomatoes gave 85 % & Metacritic gave 81 based on the critics reviews. CinemaScore reported that audiences gave the film a rare ‘A+”grade.
I have wanted to watch this film from when it was nominated but it took so many years.
Jessica Tandy became the oldest actress who won an award at the age of 80.(1989) She was diagnosed in 1990, died of ovarian cancer in 1994. At the age of 85.
Morgan Freeman won the Golden Globe in 1990 for his performance in ‘Driving Miss Daisy’ & the Academy award for Best supporting actor for his role in ‘Million Dollar Baby’ in 2005.
Did I enjoy the film!
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