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The film stars Rupert Grint and Julie Walters, both late of the Harry Potter franchise.

This movie has been called a comedy, and has been likened to Harold and Maude. Well, it wasn't exactly a ha-ha-ha kind of movie, although it had some whimsical touches, and it certainly wasn't anything like Harold and Maude, save for the fact that the protagonists are a 17 year old boy and an elderly woman (Walters, who played Grint's mother in the Harry Potter movies, here plays a much older woman, complete with dowager's hump).

Grint plays a shy and inexperienced teen who goes to work as the assistant of an eccentric, elderly former actress. The writer/director, Jeremy Brock, based the film on his experiences working as a gofer for Dame Peggy Ashcroft. The actress, of course, shows him how to "live." Grint's mother, played by Laura Linney with an English accent, is the wife of a minister, who overprotects her son and tries to instill her own overbearing "righteousness" in him, which he resists. The movie is very gentle, and nothing over the top happens (save for the boy having a very discreet one night stand with a girl he meets in Scotland while accompanying his employer), but the acting is fine and the story moves along very entertainingly.

I liked young Grint, although he may have overdone the male ingenue a bit in the beginning. However, as he comes out of himself, the character shows signs of the makings of a forceful young man inside the boy. Grint is a very attractive screen presence, nice and interesting-looking without being beautiful, and shows, I think, some real potential as an actor. He held his own very well in the company of such seasoned players.

I watched this film on ITV and I enjoyed it a lot. It was very watchable and very funny. Julie Walters and Rupert Grint were perfect in their roles. Julie Walters gets a special mention since she creates a wonderful diverse interesting character to watch. Ben's character is kinda shy and Stoic but the changes he goes through are wonderfully acted out by Rupert Grint, I would definitely say he has a future in acting after Harry Potter.

Laura Linney is quite good in her role as Ben's over protective mother, the only thing they went wrong with is by making her too....Villain-y. Ben's father was also an interesting contrast to his mother, and in the end he is quite honourable too. The only character i wasn't keen on was Bryony, she was a bit plain and unnecessary i thought.

Overall this is a great comedy drama that is very easy to watch. one of my favourite films of the year easily.

I saw this tonight with moderate expectations - if Tartan Films have picked up on something and are releasing it the that's generally a good sign, however I'm not normally a fan of Julie Walters, generally disliking her comedy roles (sorry to any fans, but it's a personal thing - I just don't find her funny in comedy).

This was magnificent though - a great performance by all, but Grint and Walters are exceptional! Plenty of laughs, plenty of pathos, great timing and a wonderfully paced film - such a coming of age film wouldn't normally be something I'd expect to like so much but I can't recommend this highly enough - and watch Rupert Grint as he matures into a fine fine actor.

I only heard about Driving Lessons through the ITV adverts, and to be honest, I didn't know how much I would like it. I switched on the TV last night and was totally surprised. Driving Lessons is a modest, simple film which draws you in right from the start. Rupert Grint plays the part of socially awkward teenager Ben brilliantly. He's definitely one to look out for in the future. Dame Eve Walton is played by the fabulous Julie Walters. I loved the simple plot and the way the actors portrayed their characters with great sensitivity. The highlight of the film, for me was Evie's rather colourful poem. It shows how friendships can form between the most unlikely pairs. In my opinion, watching Driving Lessons is a great way to spend 2 hours. The scenery was also striking, especially the countryside. Anyone who can call this sparkling comedy forgettable, I strongly disagree with

I just saw this movie at the Tribeca Film Festival and i have to say that i thought it was amazing. The combination of humor and sincerity really made the movie worthwhile. The movie was about a seventeen year-old boy whose mother and father are very religious. The seventeen year old, Ben, decides to work for a retired actress who teaches him about girls and driving and life. It is very comical and touching. I honestly have to say that it is now one of my favorite movies. I recommend this movie to anyone and everyone. If you didn't catch one of the showings at the film festival, it's supposed to come out in theaters later in the year. Please go see it! It is a great film.