Jeremy Brock, writer of 'her majesty Mrs Brown" and 'the last king of Scotland" has this time turned his hand to directing to bring us the British comedy 'driving Lessons".
Rupert Grint from Harry Potter fame stars as the shy 17 year old Ben – who is completely dominated by his overbearing, mother Laura Linney.
To escape, he secures a summer job looking after retired actress Evie played by Julie Walters. Then, Ben’s world is turned upside down as his relationship with the eccentric and insecure Evie takes him further and further away from his old life - in particular his mother.
It is the tug of war between these two women that is the dramatic core of this film.
It’s disappointing that this film doesn’t work to better effect as it has all the ingredients on paper to do so.
Laura Linney - who is one of my favourite actors - manages to get the most out of her holier than thou character who is conducting an illicit affair with a member of the local church group.
Rupert Grint is charming as Ben - the oh so weak son, And Julie Walters certainly adds pace to the film as Evie.
Dame Evie as she calls herself is a wonderful character, however I think you would definitely have to be a Julie Walters fan as she is in full flight with this one.
Her Evie is full of bravado, vulnerability and tells whopping great lies to get what she wants. Her relationship with Ben is quite touching although the pace of their relationship felt too rushed and a little underwritten.
Despite commendable performances, it all feels a bit predictable and twee. You can almost hear the formula clock ticking.
The story was inspired by first time director Jeremy Brock’s own teenage experience working one summer with Dame Peggy Ashcroft - which may explain the innocence of the piece.
Brock’s pedigree as a screenwriter goes without saying, but I feel that with this one he is just slightly of the mark.
