Rating: 
Summary: Driving Miss Daisy
Review: In the late 1940s, Miss Daisy Werthen, a predjudiced and shrewd rich Jewish woman (Jessica Tandy) faces the realism that she is no longer independent and must accept support from the hired chaffeur(Freeman) or be forced to remain in her Georgia mansion. This is a tender story of Miss Daisy's acceptance of needing help and gaining a close friendship that spans more than twenty years. Miss Daisy's shrewdness is often humorous and will keep the whole family chuckling as she avoids admitting mistakes in her real life encounters. This is a wonderfully gentle movie full of compassion, patience and understanding that anyone would enjoy viewing. The musical compositions are unique and entertaining.
I rate Driving Miss Daisy 5 stars for the abundant compassion and humor displayed throughout. It shows what lasting friendship can mean. The musical compositions are lively and pleasing.
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Summary: Relationships: Best Expressed
Review: Two people. Entirely different. Yet have something in common. Unable to accept the affinity openly. Unable to hide it too. But good relationships are not discriminated by color, race or sex. Point exemplified. Very well indeed. Morgan Freeman as Hoke, an african-american and the chauffeur for Ms. Daisy (Jessica Tandy), an American Jew who is reluctant to have him as one. Their loneliness and the circumstances lead them to a 25-year long warm relationship. Crafted beautifully, this masterpiece is a drama as well as a melodrama. Expressing a serious problem (racism) in an intended comedy is not a joke, and Alfred Uhry - the playwright has done it carefully and effectively. Hans Zimmer's music gives a boost to the film. Inspite of the four academy awards (including Jessica Tandy as Best Actress), I am sure Morgan Freeman also deserved one for his performance. A must-see if you like dramas.
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Summary: surprisingly free from stereotypes
Review: I had heard good things about this Oscar-winning movie, but when I saw it I was pleasantly surprised [...]For one thing, she is not a Southern belle, and, as she is quick to point out to Hoke (Freeman), she has worked hard for what she has. In addition, she is Jewish, a minority herself. Daisy gets into a car accident in the first scene and luckily no one is hurt. However, her insurance conpany says she can no longer drive although they will replace the car. Her son finds her a chauffeur, Hoke, and she is adamant that she will not be driven. Little by little, she breaks down and starts to accept that Hoke is part of her life, and thus begins a 25-year friendship chronicling the life and times of one family and the city around them. I was especially touched when Daisy, a former schoolteacher, discovers Hoke cannot really read, and gives him some quick instruction which makes him light up with understanding. This movie is fully deserving of its many Oscar nominations and wins. Jessica Tandy plays Miss Daisy without being over-the-top nor a Scarlett O'Hara caricature. Morgan Freeman is also impressive as Hoke, a wise man who stands up for himself when there is a need but smart enough to choose his battles or else he'll fight all day. He sees likable qualities in Miss Daisy even when she is determined to be his enemy. It is an engaging and quietly spectacular film.
Rating: 
Summary: DRIVING HOME A REAL AMERICAN CLASSIC
Review: When Warner Home Video released their full frame DVD copy of this movie back in 1997 I was really steamed. The image was cropped, softly focused and absent of fine details and proper color balancing. Now, Warner has gone back to the drawing board and released "Driving Miss Daisy" in its original 1:85:1 aspect ratio. But this still may not be the version for you to run out and buy.
True, the original theatrical release was rather softly focused, but this edition is perhaps too much so in spots to say that it is the result of the director's original intent. Colors are smeared and contrast levels continue to be extremely low in spots. There are also blemishes in the original camera negative that are quite evident, particularly in the scenes that take place in the kitchen. Also, there is quite a bit of digital grit, evident in scenes with a lot of sky and a ton of pixelization that breaks up fine background details. The soft quality of the image is what really hurts the over all visual impact of this transfer. The audio has been remixed to 5.1 but it's a weak mix, sounding very much like a 2.0 surround instead. There are a could of documentaries but nothing definitive that will set the world on fire. BOTTOM LINE: Disappointing transfer for a film that has entered the public consciousness as one of the best movies of all time.
Rating: 
Summary: Southern Comfort
Review: Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman will light up your heart in this sweet and charming tale. It was nominated for nine Oscars in 1989 and deservedly so. Four were bestowed including Best Picture and Best actress for Tandy. Freeman was also nominated.
The story,based on Alfred Uhry's award winning play, begins in early 1950's Georgia. Miss Daisy is getting on in years,her dutiful but tiring son(Dan Aykroyd, also nominated) feels she needs a chauffeur,as her driving isnt exactly up to par. Being a very proud and stubborn woman, she resists the idea,would rather walk than be seen being driven around. Even after Hoke Colburn(Freeman) is hired,she refuses to give in.
Hoke is also proud and stubborn, he is hired to do a job and by george he's gonna do it! So eventually he brings her around and little by little she gets comfortable with him.They form a unique and lasting bond.Over 25 years we watch their relationship grow. Daisy teaches Hoke to read. Hoke Brings out the best in Daisy.He is ALWAYS there for her. Daisy is Jewish, and for the first time in her life is witness to hate crimes. Hoke is no stranger to that and can empathize with her.She gains some understanding of him.
The cast also includes fine performances from Esther Rolle and Patti Lupone. The musical score by Hans Zimmer is delightful.
So the film by itself is 5 stars. But I went with 4 stars because the DVD "Has been formatted to fit your screen"(In other words..no widescreen) That takes away from the original theatrical version. Other than that the DVD(WB) is very good. The picture was sharp and clear with nice color. The sound in the Dolby Surround(2.0) was good.Dialouge was crisp. There's a few extras, theatrical trailer, awards and cast. There's also subtitles. So even without the widescreen I'm glad I got this edition, it's just too good of a film not to be watched.
Kick back and enjoy....Laurie
Rating:
Summary: Very well produced
Review: Despite the usual so called "heartwarming summer sleepers" that Hollywood... usually [puts] out in the summer, this is a real winner among sleepers. I just wish that the DVD version was in letterbox...For goodness sake, it won best picture of 1989...Towards the end of the film, the startling speech of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. is hard and ear gripping, as it was when he was alive. His impact was monumental. As a young white college student in Wisconsin in the 1950-1960's-his impact was legendary throught the world. If only people wouldnt forget when he changed in 1966 shifing his focus from civil rights to human rights like the Vietnam War, unequal distribution of wealth, poverty, equal housing, fair employment practices....This is a great film, the screenplay is truly awesome. Despite some racial overtones, you should love this film.
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Summary: "I just love the smell of a new car, don't you Miss Daisy?"
Review: Driving Miss Daisy is a classic example of why a movie doesn't need a shoot 'em up action sequence, or the usual obligatory sex scene, in order to enthrall and captivate. Despite the fact that the story covers a 25-year period in just over an hour and a half, it isn't a movie that rushes the viewer. Instead it proceeds at the comfortable pace of the southern-USA drawl characteristic of its Georgia setting. Unfortunately for those who are unused to this particular accent, at times it is difficult to make out what is being said. The unhurried feeling created is complemented by an excellent musical score - simple, light and almost whimsical, with a very catchy refrain. The film follows the relationship (it would be too simplistic merely to call it friendship) between a widowed Jewish lady, Daisy Werthan, and her black chauffeur Hoke. Miss Daisy is adamant she neither wants nor needs the driver, provided by her exasperated son to ensure she doesn't have any more car accidents. However, over the next quarter century her frostiness thaws (albeit sporadically) and an understanding develops between this unlikely pair. Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman well deserve the accolades they have received for their roles in this film. These talented actors have to share the limelight though - with a truly magnificent classic car ensemble. If you think modern cars are boring, it is worth viewing this film merely for the pleasure of seeing Miss Daisy's succession of cars - beautiful classic models from the late 1940s to the early 1970s - a time when cars truly deserved the title 'automobile'.
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Summary: A True Portrayal of Southern Life
Review: I grew up in the South and spent most of my life there, and of all the movies I have ever seen about the South, "Driving Miss Daisy" provides the most accurate portrait. A lot of people outside the South don't realize how intimate the relationships between black people and white people have been over the years. And as this movie points out, much racism among white Southerners has been somewhat latent. It's not like you usually see it in the movies with Ku Klux Klansmen everywhere! The cultural benchmarks of everyday Southern life are so true, the accents appropriate, and the wonderful sets and props absolutely accurate. Beyond its accuracy, "Driving Miss Daisy" also sensitively tells a wonderful story of reconciliation that anyone, anywhere can relate to.
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Summary: Life is a long evolution
Review: This film about Georgia in the 1950s and 1960s is surprising in the formula used and in the ambition demonstrated all along. Georgia is starting to finally find its new dynamism in industry, and no longer only in cultivating cotton. This new industrial age of the South is very carefully depicted through the Jewish Miss Daisy and her son, and the Black driver Miss daisy finally needs and accepts in her old age. The complicity of the two characters confronted to the genteel southern society that is evolving into something more modern, confronted to the emancipation of the Blacks through the Civil Right Movement and the impact of Martin Luther King's fight is touching and immensely heartwarming. We are little by little convinced that humanity, in spite of all its evil acts and behaviours, is respectable and even encouraging. The march towards more equality, towards the emancipation of Blacks, women, men and all those who are in a way or another submitted to some limitations, cannot ever be stopped by any bigotry or antagonism. Humanity can free itself of all its evil deeds and thoughts by mere historical evolution and deep human feelings. Love is the key to many evil situations and respect of others is the skeleton key to all difficult situations. Jessica Tandy is outstanding in her performance, but so is Morgan Freeman and the film is giving to the car a role to play that is amazing for a simple object, though it is the very acme of American freedom and civilization. Dr Jacques COULARDEAU
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Summary: Why no Widescreen
Review: I would just like to know why this DVD is not produced in its original aspect ratio? No widescreen stinks. This and Chariots of Fire are the only DVDs that have won the Best Picture Oscar that I want for my collection that aren't letterboxed. Why? Why? Why?
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