LEARNING TO DRIVE

As her marriage dissolves, a Manhattan writer takes driving lessons from a Sikh instructor with marriage troubles of his own. In each other’s company they find the courage to get back on the road and the strength to take the wheel. — IMDB

LEARNING TO DRIVE had lots of potential, but it turns out to be a rather monotonous, bland attempt at a romantic comedy drama. Ben Kingsley, who plays the nighttime taxi driver and daytime driving instructor, Darwan, is Ben Kingsley through-and-through who comes across as stiff and not always authentic. Patricia Clarkson (Wendy) shows some emotional range but at times, she wasn’t convincing, particularly when she was trying to cry. The most interesting character in the story is Jasleen (played by Sarita Choudhury, who played the arranged marriage wife of Darwan) whose character and story are not really developed. There is some ok life lessons delivered by Darwan during his driving instruction of Wendy, and the relationship they develop has some interesting elements. But LEARNING TO DRIVE wanders along at a walking pace with little narrative drive. Slightly amusing and good for viewers who just want a light piece of entertainment.