Driving Miss Daisy (1989)

Overview

Driving Miss Daisy is a quiet, character-driven film set in the American South, spanning the years from the late 1940s to the early 1970s. At its heart, it is the story of an unlikely friendship between Daisy Werthan, a fiercely independent, aging Jewish woman from Atlanta, and Hoke Colburn, her African American chauffeur. Initially marked by class, racial, and generational divides, their relationship evolves into a profound bond of mutual respect, trust, and understated affection.

Directed by Bruce Beresford with a script by Alfred Uhry (who adapted his own play), the film captures both the personal and the political in a subtly layered narrative. Rather than focusing on large-scale historical events, it uses the passage of time and small, everyday moments to comment on issues of race, aging, dignity, and social change in America.

Plot Summary

The film opens in 1948 with Daisy Werthan (Jessica Tandy), a widowed former schoolteacher, crashing her car. Her son, Boolie (Dan Aykroyd), insists that she can no longer drive and hires Hoke Colburn (Morgan Freeman), an affable and patient man, to serve as her chauffeur.

Daisy is resistant at first. Proud and stubborn, she resents the perceived insult to her independence and is wary of Hoke due to her prejudices and generational attitudes. Hoke, however, is not easily discouraged. With humility and grace, he slowly earns her trust.

Over the course of 25 years, their employer-employee relationship deepens into something resembling a friendship. They share holidays, personal milestones, and even encounter historical moments, such as the Civil Rights Movement and the bombing of a synagogue. In one of the film's most poignant scenes, Daisy confesses, late in life, "You’re my best friend," cementing the quiet emotional arc the story has been building all along.

Themes and Analysis

Racism and Class

Unlike more overt films about race, Driving Miss Daisy approaches racism through subtle interactions and social rituals. Hoke must navigate the deeply entrenched social hierarchies of the Jim Crow South, even within the relatively liberal Jewish household of Daisy. The film portrays both systemic racism (such as when Hoke is denied access to a restroom) and personal prejudice, showing how even progressive-minded people like Daisy carry inherited biases.

Crucially, the film does not present Daisy as a malicious racist, but as someone moulded by her time and upbringing. Her gradual opening up to Hoke reflects the possibility — if not the guarantee — of change.

Aging and Independence

The fear of losing independence is central to Daisy's character. Her fierce pride is both admirable and limiting, particularly when it causes her to reject help. The film treats aging not as a source of humour or pity, but with dignity. Daisy’s eventual vulnerability — cognitive decline and dependence — is portrayed with sensitivity, and her growing reliance on Hoke marks a shift in their power dynamic.

Friendship and Human Connection

At its core, Driving Miss Daisy is a love story — not romantic, but emotional and spiritual. The bond between Daisy and Hoke, built on decades of shared experiences, transcends the formal boundaries of race, class, and occupation. Their friendship is a quiet rebellion against the social divisions of their time.

Jewish Identity

While less frequently discussed, the film also explores antisemitism. Daisy is a Jewish woman living in a predominantly Christian and racially segregated society. The bombing of her synagogue and her cautious social positioning reflect the uneasy space she occupies. Her outsider status, though different from Hoke’s, becomes a bridge of empathy — albeit one she only begins to understand later in life.

Performances

Jessica Tandy delivers a masterclass in acting as Daisy Werthan. Her performance is restrained, intelligent, and deeply human. She conveys Daisy's pride, wit, and vulnerability with remarkable nuance, earning her the Academy Award for Best Actress at age 80 — the oldest winner in that category to date.

Morgan Freeman, reprising the role he originated on stage, brings warmth, dignity, and subtle strength to Hoke Colburn. Freeman’s portrayal avoids stereotypes; instead, he embodies a man of quiet pride, deep patience, and gentle wit. His chemistry with Tandy is the soul of the film.

Dan Aykroyd, often typecast in comedic roles, is understated and effective as Boolie, the pragmatic son caught between generations and societal expectations.

Direction and Production

Bruce Beresford’s direction is deceptively simple. He allows the story to unfold naturally, without flashy cinematography or melodrama. This restraint benefits the material, focusing attention on the characters and their emotional evolution. The period details are subtly rendered, and Hans Zimmer’s musical score — one of his earliest — offers a whimsical and touching accompaniment without overpowering the drama.

The film's time-lapse storytelling (over two decades) is managed with impressive clarity. Transitions between eras are handled with gentle cues — clothing styles, music, and aging makeup — rather than exposition.

Reception and Legacy

Upon its release, Driving Miss Daisy received critical acclaim for its performances and mature storytelling. It was a box office success and won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. However, in the years since, it has faced criticism from some corners, particularly regarding its portrayal of race relations. Critics have argued that it simplifies the complexities of racism and adheres to the “magical Black friend” trope by centring the narrative arc on Daisy’s emotional growth.

Nonetheless, others defend the film as a period piece that reflects a specific dynamic with honesty and warmth. Unlike more dramatic civil rights narratives, Driving Miss Daisy portrays change as incremental and interpersonal, making it both accessible and affecting.

Final Assessment

Driving Miss Daisy is a film of quiet power. While it may not confront racism with the intensity of Do the Right Thing (released the same year), it presents an honest, compassionate portrayal of two people bridging a chasm of difference through shared humanity. The film resists easy sentimentality, instead offering a layered, character-driven exploration of friendship, aging, and dignity.

Its legacy is complicated but enduring — a reminder that even the smallest, slowest steps toward understanding can leave a lasting imprint.

Timeless, understated, and emotionally rich. A classic American film with a deeply human core.