---
title: Learning to Drive (Film)
slug: learning-to-drive-film-92da5
url: /detay/learning-to-drive-film-92da5
type: article
language: English
entity:
  primary: Learning to Drive (Film)
  type: article
  disambiguation: Patricia Clarkson & Ben Kingsley star in this heartwarming tale of self-discovery and cultural understanding.
  categories:
    - name: Cinema And Television
      slug: sinema-ve-televizyon
      url: /kategori/sinema-ve-televizyon
  tags:
    - Immigration
    - FemaleRepresentation
    - CulturalDifferences
    - LearningToDrive
    - Film
author: Büşranur Akpınar
created_at: 2025-05-16T19:08:19.767723+03:00
updated_at: 2025-05-17T11:11:48.369969+03:00
image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/16/mhOSuMgVPaAjKXbKJigWIv8QrtOegSjn.jpg
---

# Learning to Drive (Film)

<!-- CONTEXT: KURE Information Cards for "Learning to Drive (Film)" -->

## KURE Information Cards

### KURE Information Card: Learning to Drive (2014)

![ltd.jpg](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2025/05/16/J1gbuL24RgAfZ8vOl2dXNY7p9LYYTO61.jpg)

| Field | Value |
|-------|-------|
| Screenplay(s) | Sarah Kernochan |
| IMDb Rating(Text) | 6.4 / 10 |
| Director(s) | Isabel Coixet |
| Genre | Drama |
| Runtime | 90 minutes |
| Release Year | 2014 |
| Release Date(s)(Text) | August 14,2015 (USA) |

<!-- CONTEXT: Article Content for "Learning to Drive (Film)" -->

## Article Content

**&#65279;&#65279;Learning to Drive** is a 2014 drama film directed by Isabel Coixet, starring Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. The film explores themes of personal transformation, cultural differences, and mutual understanding. It is based on Katha Pollitt's 2002 personal essay of the same name, published in *The New Yorker*. The screenplay was written by Sarah Kernochan. The story follows the intersecting lives of a [New York](/en/detay/manchester-by-the-sea-5b718/llms.txt) book critic and an Indian immigrant driving instructor. The film premiered at the 2014 Toronto International Film Festival.

### **Plot**

The story centers on Wendy Shields, a middle-aged book critic living in New York, who embarks on a journey to rebuild her life after her husband leaves her. Determined to regain her independence, Wendy decides to learn how to drive. In this process, she meets Darwan Singh Tur, a [Sikh](/en/detay/proud-to-be-a-sikh-film-bab7b/llms.txt) immigrant from India working as a driving instructor. Through their growing friendship, the film portrays how two individuals from vastly different cultural and social backgrounds can profoundly impact each other’s lives through empathy and mutual respect.

[YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZS_EYs7D_g)
*Learning to Drive – Official Trailer (YouTube)*

### **Cast**

- Patricia Clarkson - Wendy Shields
- Ben Kingsley - Darwan Singh Tur
- Jake Weber - Ted
- Sarita Choudhury - Jasleen
- Grace Gummer - Tasha
- Matt Salinger - Peter

### **Production**

The screenplay is based on Katha Pollitt’s autobiographical essay. Filming took place in New York in 2013. The film was particularly noted for the on-screen chemistry and performances of Clarkson and Kingsley. Director Isabel Coixet chose a simple narrative style to address themes such as urban life, immigrant identity, and female empowerment.

### **Thematic Structure**

*Learning to Drive* revolves around themes such as personal freedom, the courage to start over, women’s self-sufficiency, cultural identity, and the immigrant experience. Through Wendy’s character, the film emphasizes that personal growth has no age limit, while Darwan’s story explores immigration, sacrifice, and the questioning of traditional values. The film stands out as an example of how differences can be bridged through friendship and understanding.

### **Awards**

- **2014 Toronto International Film Festival** – People’s Choice Award (First Runner-Up)
- **2015 Imagen Awards** – Best Supporting Actress (Sarita Choudhury)
- **2015 Women Film Critics Circle** – Best Female Representation (Nomination, Patricia Clarkson)

<!-- CONTEXT: Academic Sources and References for "Learning to Drive (Film)" -->

## Academic Sources and References

1. Beyazperde. “Learning to Drive.” Accessed May 16, 2025. https://www.beyazperde.com/filmler/film-224070/IMDb. “Learning to Drive (2014).” Accessed May 16, 2025. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3062976/Rotten Tomatoes. “Learning to Drive (2014).” Accessed May 16, 2025. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/learning\_to\_driveYouTube. “Learning to Drive (2014).” Accessed May 16, 2025. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZS\_EYs7D\_g