Driving Miss Daisy

This movie is all about the relationship of the characters, and I can't think of any more perfect actors to play these roles than Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.

Miss Daisy (Jessica Tandy) is a buttoned-down, prim and proper, emotionally stifled elderly Jewish woman, living in the south. When her son Boolie, (Dan Akroyd) fears that his mother is no longer capable of driving herself, he hires Hoke, (Morgan Freeman) a middle-aged African American, as her driver. The movie centers on the sometimes contentious, funny and poignant relationship between Miss Daisy and Hoke, with the discrimination of the south used as a backdrop.

Jessica Tandy is superb in this role. She brings depth and realism to Miss Daisy, and plays her idiosyncrasies well, without turning her into a caricature. She is both victim to her past and advancing years, and victimizer of those around her. Anyone with an aging parent will relate to the difficult, yet fragile Miss Daisy.

Morgan Freeman is outstanding as the long suffering and ever-patient Hoke. Cheerful, always positive and with a down-to-earth, commonsense approach, he endears himself to Miss Daisy ever so slowly and carefully. Even while suffering the insults of racism, he maintains his composure and while injured by the slights, doesn't let them define who he is.

In addition to the two main characters, Dan Akroyd does an outstanding job as Boolie, the frustrated yet loving son, barely capable of juggling the demands of dealing with both a high maintenance mother and his equally high maintenance wife Florine, skillfully played by Patti LuPone.

A special treat is the performance of Esther Rolle as Idella, the no-nonsense, say-it-like-it-is housekeeper, who has learned to accept her role in the household of Miss Daisy, without it affecting her.

You will be charmed by the cast, and equally charmed by the story. With an excellent soundtrack and visuals, this is a mesmerizing poignant journey into the lives of well-defined, complicated and very human people. Enjoy the ride!