Driving Miss Daisy
Performance & Direction: Driving Miss Daisy Review
Last updated: January 24, 2026
Quick Verdict: Hit or Flop?
Is Driving Miss Daisy (1989) worth watching? According to our cinematic analysis, the film stands as a HIT with a verified audience rating of 7.2/10. Whether you're looking for the box office collection, ending explained, or parents guide, our review covers everything you need to know about this Drama.
Cast Performances: A Masterclass
The success of any Drama is often anchored by its ensemble, and Driving Miss Daisy features a noteworthy lineup led by Morgan Freeman . Supported by the likes of Jessica Tandy and Dan Aykroyd , the performances bring a palpable realism to the scripted words.
Performance Analysis: While the cast delivers competent and professional performances, they are occasionally hampered by a script that leans into familiar archetypes.
Final Verdict: Is it Worth Watching?
In summary, our editorial assessment of Driving Miss Daisy (1989) is generally positive. With an audience rating of 7.2/10, it stands as a highly recommended experience for genre enthusiasts.
Story & Plot Summary: Driving Miss Daisy
Quick Plot Summary: Driving Miss Daisy is a Drama film that explores complex human emotions and relationships through detailed character development. This summary provides a scannable look at the movie's central conflict and narrative structure.
Story Breakdown
This character-driven narrative explores the internal and external conflicts that define the human experience. The story of an old Jewish widow named Daisy Werthan and her relationship with her black chauffeur, Hoke. From an initial mere work relationship grew in 25 years a strong friendship between the two very different characters, in a time when those types of relationships were shunned. The screenplay takes time to develop its characters, allowing audiences to connect emotionally with their struggles and triumphs. Each scene builds upon the last, creating a cumulative emotional impact.
Narrative Structure
- Opening Hook: We meet the main character in their ordinary world, establishing the emotional baseline before the inciting incident disrupts their life.
- Character Arc: The main character shows growth throughout the story, though some supporting characters could have been more fully realized. The arc is present but occasionally predictable.
- Climax & Resolution: The emotional climax brings character arcs to their natural conclusion, providing catharsis while staying true to the story's core themes.
Ending Explained: Driving Miss Daisy
Ending Breakdown: Driving Miss Daisy resolves its central conflict while maintaining thematic consistency. The finale has been praised for its approach to drama resolution.
The emotional climax centers on character transformation, offering viewers material for post-viewing discussion.
Ending Analysis:
- Narrative Resolution: The story concludes with clear resolution of its central conflicts, providing closure while maintaining some ambiguity.
- Character Arcs: Main characters complete meaningful transformations, reflecting the film's thematic priorities.
- Thematic Payoff: The ending reinforces the drama themes established throughout the runtime.
The final moments of Driving Miss Daisy reflect the filmmakers' creative choices, offering an ending that aligns with the film's tone and style.
Who Should Watch Driving Miss Daisy?
Worth Watching If You:
- Enjoy Drama films and don't mind familiar tropes
- Are a fan of the cast or director
- Want a character-driven story with emotional moments
Box Office Collection: Driving Miss Daisy
| Metric / Region | Collection (Approx) |
|---|---|
| Production Budget | $7.5M |
| Worldwide Gross | $145.8M |
| Trade Verdict | CLEAN HIT |
Driving Miss Daisy Budget
The estimated production budget for Driving Miss Daisy is $7.5M. This figure covers principal photography, talent acquisitions, and visual effects. When accounting for global marketing and distribution, the break-even point is typically 2x the base production cost.
Top Cast: Driving Miss Daisy
All Cast & Crew →
Where to Watch Driving Miss Daisy Online?
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Amazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesYouTubeFandango At HomeDriving Miss Daisy Parents Guide & Age Rating
1989 AdvisoryWondering about Driving Miss Daisy age rating or if it's safe for kids? Here is our cinematic advisory:
⏱️ Runtime & Duration
The total runtime of Driving Miss Daisy is 99 minutes (1h 39m). Ensuring you have enough time for the full cinematic experience.
Verdict Summary
Analyzing the overall audience sentiment, verified rating of 7.2/10, and global performance metrics, Driving Miss Daisy is classified as a HIT. It remains an essential part of the 1989 cinematic calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Driving Miss Daisy worth watching?
Driving Miss Daisy is definitely worth watching if you enjoy Drama movies. It has a verified rating of 7.2/10 and stands as a HIT in our box office analysis.
Where can I find Driving Miss Daisy parents guide and age rating?
The official parents guide for Driving Miss Daisy identifies it as PG. Our detailed advisory section above covers all content warnings for families.
What is the total runtime of Driving Miss Daisy?
The total duration of Driving Miss Daisy is 99 minutes, which is approximately 1h 39m long.
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Critic Reviews for Driving Miss Daisy
Bit of an odd one, though it does end up leaving a mark. 'Driving Miss Daisy' perhaps skirts around the larger picture in regards to the discrimination it alludes to, but all in all it's a charming tale about unlikely friendships. I do like when movies follow characters across an extended amount of time, in this case we see events stretch across 25 years; seeing characters grow and develop as they age is a cool thing. Morgan Freeman is terrific, as is Jessica Tandy. Dan Aykroyd and Esther Rolle play their part too. Hans Zimmer is on music and to be honest (as much as I rate that guy) I'm not convinced the score, which is good, fits particularly well here. By the end it probably does, though at the beginning the in-your-face nature of it feels a bit out of place.
movieMx Verified
This review has been verified for accuracy and editorial quality by our senior cinematic analysts.
This analysis is compiled by our editorial experts using multi-source verification and audience sentiment data for maximum accuracy.
