Driving Miss Daisy (1989)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
A wealthy elderly woman and her chauffeur navigate the complexities of friendship and changing social landscapes over several decades.
The story
In 1948, Miss Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old wealthy, Jewish, widowed, retired schoolteacher, lives alone in Atlanta, Georgia. After she accidentally drives her car into a neighbor's yard, her son, Boolie, buys her a new car and hires Hoke Colburn, a black chauffeur. While Daisy initially resists the arrangement and grows suspicious of Hoke's motives, the two begin to spend significant time together. As they navigate their daily routines, a unique bond forms between the employer and the employee, set against the backdrop of a changing American landscape.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
In 1948, Miss Daisy Werthan, a 72-year-old wealthy, Jewish, widowed, retired schoolteacher, lives alone in Atlanta, Georgia. After she accidentally drives her car into a neighbor's yard, her son, Boolie, hires Hoke Colburn, a black chauffeur. Despite initial friction and Daisy's suspicion over a missing can of salmon, the two develop a deep bond; Daisy teaches Hoke to read, and Hoke eventually buys the cars he drives her in. The narrative spans decades, showing Hoke facing racism in Alabama and Daisy witnessing the civil rights movement, including a speech by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Following the death of her housekeeper, Idella, Daisy takes over household duties while Hoke continues to drive her. As the years pass, Daisy faces health challenges and Hoke faces failing eyesight. In 1973, the two elderly friends, now aged 97 and 85 respectively, share a final moment of connection as Hoke feeds her Thanksgiving pie.
- First release year
- 1989
- Runtime (minutes)
- 99
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Bruce Beresford
- Writers
- Alfred Uhry · screenplay
- Cast and characters
- Jessica Tandy · Miss Daisy Werthan; Morgan Freeman · Hoke Colburn; Dan Aykroyd · Boolie; Patti LuPone; Esther Rolle
- Genres
- comedy; drama
- Themes
- friendship; aging; racial dynamics; social change
- Tone and mood
- heartwarming; subtle
- Setting
- Atlanta, Georgia and Alabama, spanning from 1948 to 1973.
- Premise and plot tags
- road movie; buddy film; historical drama
- Source material / true-story basis
- Uhry's 1987 play
- Reception
- The film was a critical and commercial success, praised for its screenplay and the performances of its leads, though it faced some criticism regarding its handling of racial issues.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 85% · scale: percentage · review count: 106
- Awards and nominations
- Academy Award · Best Picture · win; Academy Award · Best Actress · win; Academy Award · Best Makeup · win; Academy Award · Best Adapted Screenplay · win
- Production trivia
- Eddie Murphy was the first choice for the role of Hoke Colburn.; It is the only film based on an off-Broadway production ever to win Best Picture.; Jessica Tandy became the oldest winner in history to win Best Actress.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…