When I saw the previews for Learning to Drive, I knew that I would watch it, but probably not in theaters. I adore Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley, but Learning to Drive seemed more like a romantic comedy and closer to a tv film that was more like a self-help book so I didn’t. I adored Cairo Time and was so excited that Alexander Siddig was finally a leading man in a major film not involving terrorism, but I was concerned that Hollywood seemed to be thinking, “Who is the one notable white female actress who has chemistry with men of color? Patricia Clarkson!” and Learning to Drive was going to be another King & I situation. Also Kingsley is a man of color who has been able to get roles that are for white and Asian characters, but he gets most of the roles for Asian men so I was not concerned that if I didn’t pay for Learning to Drive, Clarkson or Kingsley wouldn’t work again.
What I did NOT know before I saw the movie was that Clarkson and Kingsley so enjoyed working in Elegy together that Elegy’s director decided to make another movie with them, and that movie is Learning to Drive. Elegy was in my queue before, but after seeing Learning to Drive, I moved it up to number 2! In the future, if Isabel Coixet directs a movie, I’m going to the theaters. I repent and apologize that I ever doubted any of you!
Learning to Drive is about two people who seem like they have everything figured out, but they are both at threshold of change and become completely unmoored when they realize they do not. When Learning to Drive starts, it is obvious that Clarkson’s character, Wendy, is a hot mess though she thought life was perfect. She reviews books. She has a beautiful home. She was married for 21 years. Her husband is breaking up with her in the back of Darwan’s cab, played by Kingsley.
Darwan initially seems to be the perfect one. He cooks. He talks. He doesn’t get angry when he is treated very poorly. He is inspirational and encouraging to his students. He has aphorisms based on his experiences and spiritual beliefs, and they sound perfect. After watching Learning to Drive, when I drive, I occasionally hear Kingsley’s voice admonishing me to taste. Darwan decides to change one major thing, and he discovers that his theoretical life cannot face the realities of life. His encouragement is critical if the audience changes.
Wendy and Marwan live their richest lives in their imaginations, but their actual lives are dominated by work and lack human connection. You don’t have to be a teenager to be awkward in relationships. It is no accident that just when they begin to connect, they switch roles and he becomes the one in need of instruction (or is it a King & I dynamic unwittingly unfolding again). Just when Darwan’s life gets interesting, messy and full, Learning to Drive ends, which is its main flaw, but a good one.
Learning to Drive will appeal to New Yorkers, has a rich insight into the immigrant experience, particularly Sikhs, features wonderful acting not only by the leads, but the other characters, particularly Sarita Choudhury. I would have loved if Learning to Drive was divided into thirds: Wendy in the first third, Darwan’s in the second and Jasleen’s in the third. Learning to Drive needed better advertising and did itself a disservice by framing it as a romantic comedy or an inspirational film. Learning to Drive is a must see, especially for mature audiences who are very established, but may unwittingly just fear change.