Directed by: Jeremy Brock
Written by: Jeremy Brock
Starring: Rupert Grint, Julie Walters, Laura Linney, Nicholas Farrell, Oliver Milburn
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Genre: Arthouse, Comedy, Drama, Coming of Age, Road Trip
Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual content and some thematic material.
Running Time: 98 min
/Film Rating: 6.5 out of 10

Growing up means to learn responsibility. But at the same time, you must also come into your own. This requires independence. Driving Lessons is a tale of this important life making contradiction.

A long time ago, I was a filmaker. My first and only film was a road trip coming of age drama that fortunately, you'll never see. I've always called it my Tarantino Best Friend's Birthday, except I never went on to make my Reservoir Dogs. One of the many things I've learned since is that the coming of age road trip drama is a common mistake among first time filmmakers. So when I heard about Driving Lessons, I considered not even screening the movie. But it's a good thing I decided otherwise.

If you loved Little Miss Sunshine, than you'll probably like Driving Lessons, Jeremy Brock's directorial debut.

Ben (Rupert Grint) is a shy bookish sheltered 17-year-old, forced to spend his sumer vacation rehearsing for his role of a eucalyptus tree in his mother's bible play. Unable to pass his driving test, Ben is compelled to take driving lessons, which don't seem to be much of a help.

His overbearing and religion obsessed mother (Laura Linney) tells him "We're God's ambassadors, we show the world a smiling face." Ben gets a job as an assistant to an overly dramtic washed up old actress named Evie (Julie Walters) for 6 pounds an hours, "a pound more than McDonalds," snickers Evie.

Without a driving license and mislead into a road trip, Ben is exposed to a boatload of new experiences including sex, alcohol and clubbing. Over the course of the journey, Ben and Evie form a special bond that will change and shape Ben's future.

Most people recognize Grint as Ron Weasley, the red headed friend of Harry Potter. In Lessons, Grint steps out from behind the shadows and finally proves that he is the best actor from the young Harry Potter crew. Walters actually plays Grint's mother in the Potter films, and in Lessons she delivers her best performance since Billy Elliott.

/Film Rating: 6.5 out of 10