Driving Miss Daisy

I know that a lot of people may think of this film as overly syrupy and sentimental, however, it has so many things going for it, that it’s a can’t-miss classic. What stands out for me is the story and the writing. Originally written as a stage play, it transfers remarkably well to the screen because the story is so strong. Like A Trip to Bountiful that predates this story, Driving Miss Daisy works as a film because it is told honestly and truthfully. You can’t go wrong with a traditionally told life story. When it is done well, it really doesn’t matter how sentimental it may seem because the story is so strong.

Both Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman are note-perfect, and this is Dan Aykroyd’s finest performance ever. This was one of those times at the Academy Awards when Tandy’s win was justified because of her performance and not because it was a sentimental or sympathetic vote. Freeman definitely deserved to win here as opposed to his win for Million Dollar Baby which I see as a makeup Oscar.

The cinematography is gorgeous. The scenery is just another character in the story. The music, including the instantly recognizable theme music, is a perfect fit. The screenplay, based upon the winning play, has a great pace and is told with such truth and realism that it stands out as one of the great adaptations of another piece of work. This is a perfectly shot film.