--- title: "Driving Miss Daisy: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/driving-miss-daisy/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/driving-miss-daisy" critics_score: 74 critics_reviews: 9 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Driving Miss Daisy (1989): what the critics said Critics' score 74 from 9 reviews: 6 positive, 3 mixed, 0 negative. Most critics like it, and the praise clusters almost entirely on the two leads. Jessica Tandy’s tightfisted, suspicious widow and Morgan Freeman’s patient chauffeur are named in nearly every review as the reason the film works, with several calling them among the best performances of either career. Bruce Beresford’s direction earns steady approval for opening up the stage play just enough to feel natural without losing its two-character shape, and the screenplay and period detail are noted warmly. The reservations are about what the film says rather than how it is acted. Three of the nine reviews find it too cosy, musty or schematic to work as commentary on Southern race relations across its twenty-five years; Time Out and Collider in particular think it well made but thin on the subject it appears to be about. The Los Angeles Times shares the complaint yet still recommends it for Freeman. The spread is narrow: nobody dislikes it, and even the doubters concede the performances. ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 January 1990. The film is a subtle, patient exploration of a 25-year relationship between an elderly Southern Jewish widow and her Black chauffeur, developing deep emotional stakes through nuanced performances and understated storytelling rather than dialogue. Ebert singles out the two lead performances by Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy for particular praise as among the best of their careers. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/driving-miss-daisy-1990) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Henry Sheehan Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 2017. The critic praises the strong performances by Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy as the mismatched driver and passenger whose relationship evolves over decades, along with Bruce Beresford’s respectful direction that lets the material breathe while keeping the story moving efficiently. The film is seen as headed for popular and awards success thanks to its warm, nostalgic tone and the stars’ chemistry. [Read the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/driving-miss-daisy-review-1989-movie-1067241/) ## The New York Times — Vincent Canby Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 1989. Bruce Beresford's gently opened-up screen version of the Pulitzer-winning play is one of the most successful stage-to-screen translations in years, carried with great style and supplemented effectively beyond the original three characters. Canby highlights the casting of Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman in the central roles as a spectacular match for the material's humor and humanity. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/1989/12/13/movies/review-film-miss-daisy-chamber-piece-from-the-stage.html) ## Variety — Joseph McBride Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 1989. The film is a touching exploration of 25 years of Southern race relations through the individualized relationship of an elderly Jewish widow and her stalwart Black chauffeur, with sensitive direction and skillful adaptation that suggests large truths without pretension. McBride singles out the career-crowning performances by Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy for guaranteed Oscar nominations. [Read the review](https://variety.com/1989/film/reviews/driving-miss-daisy-3-1200428119/) ## The New Yorker — Pauline Kael Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 18 December 1989. Beresford's film improves on the stage version by opening it up just enough to feel natural while retaining its two-character sketch structure, creating stronger emotional involvement with a light, airy texture. Kael praises Jessica Tandy's tightfisted, suspicious portrayal of Miss Daisy and the way the film charts the deepening companionship over 25 years amid Southern social changes. [Read the review](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/1989/12/25/pulling-the-rug-out) ## Empire — Phil Thomas Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 1 January 2000. The critic praises the film's quality screenplay, period settings and attention to detail, along with the lead performances by Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy. The relationship between the characters is highlighted for its emotional depth and subtle handling of racial themes over the decades. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/driving-miss-daisy-review/) ## Los Angeles Times — Peter Rainer Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 13 December 1989. The film is musty and schematic with a measured pace that commands respect, but it is saved by the extraordinary performances, especially Morgan Freeman's, which make it a must-see despite its transfer of 'quality' theater to screen. Rainer notes the central relationship between the cranky widow and her chauffeur as it mellows over 25 years, mirroring civil rights changes. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-12-13-ca-65-story.html) ## Time Out — CM Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 10 September 2012. The film is a polished adaptation of the play saved by strong performances from Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy, but it is far too cosy to work as social or political commentary. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/driving-miss-daisy) ## Collider — Rob Vaux Fi1m's normalised score 50/100 (inferred from the text). 4 February 2013. The film is a well-oiled crowd pleaser with charm and humor but lacks substantive thought on race relations, making its Best Picture win feel undeserved compared to more urgent films of the era. [Read the review](https://collider.com/driving-miss-daisy-blu-ray-review-grand-hotel-blu-ray-review/) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/driving-miss-daisy.md