Overview

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning play by Alfred Uhry Driving Miss Daisy affectionately covers the twenty-five year relationship between a wealthy strong-willed Southern matron Jessica Tandy and her equally indomitable Black chauffeur Hoke Morgan Freeman. Both employer and employee are outsiders Hoke because of the color of his skin Miss Daisy because she is Jewish in a WASP-dominated society. At the same time Hoke cannot fathom Miss Daisys cloistered inability to grasp the social changes which sweep the South in the 1960s. Nor can Miss Daisy understand why Hokes quotpeoplequot are so indignant. It is only when Hoke is retired and Miss Daisy is confined to a home for the elderly that the two fully realize that theyve been friends and kindred spirits all along. The supporting cast includes Esther Rolle as Miss Daisys housekeeper and Dan Aykroyd as Miss Daisys son Boolie reportedly playwright Uhry based the character upon himself. Driving Miss Daisy won Academy Awards for best picture best actress Jessica Tandy best screenplay Uhry and best makeup Manlio Rachetti.Driving Miss Daisy DVD