As her marriage is broken, a New Yorker writer, Patricia Clarkson, takes driving lessons from a Sikh driver called Darwan, Ben Kingsley . She is a bitter middle-age woman recently separated to her hubby, Jake Weber, who suddenlly abandoned her for a younger lover. Both of whom have a twenty-two-year-old daughter, Grace Gummer. As she must adjust her recent life and take strength enough to get new life purports. Problems go wrong when happens a traumatic divorce , but she finds the courage to get back driving thanks to the agreeable driver. Time ago she depended on her hubby for driving, and she has now to learn to take the wheel on her own. Helped by a serviceable instructor, Ben Kingsley, who watches her with caution as his student falls apart. Meanwhile, Kingsley is contemplating a concerted marriage to a Indian women, Sarita Choudhury. Along the way Ben attempts to be patient with his student, but the events gets worse as she suspends the driving licence exam.

Enjoyable and attractive dramedy, it is a sympathetic drama with some drops of charming humor, adding social habits from the big metropolis New York City. The picture relies heavily on the peculiar relationship between the notorious writer and the Sikh driver. Concerning the problematic existences of two particular roles, as their lives are intersected and both of them will change in unexpected consequences and unpredictable ways. Patricia Clarson gives a very good acting as the self-absorbed NY book critic who is shocked by a thunderous divorce. Ben Kingsley is top-notch as the Indian Sikh instructor who has to bear an arranged marriage . Support cast is pretty good such as Jake Weber, Sarita Choudhury, Matt Battaglia, and Grace Grummer who is Meryl Streep's daughter.

The motion picture was well directed by the Spanish Isabel Coixet in his ordinary feeling style. She is a good professional, a fine craftsman who has directed enjoyableb and sensitive films such as A los que aman, Map of sounds of Tokyo, Another me, The secret life of words, Things I never told you, Elisa and Mariela, Endless night, The bookshop, his biggest hits were Another me and Elegy with Ben Kingsley. She has made also some documentary and shorts as Proyecto tiempo, El espiritu de la pintura, Sea Aral, Marlango, Marea blanca, Spain in a day and a segment of Paris Je taime among others.Rating 7/10. Well worth seeing.

"Learning to Drive" is a slice of life film that is well acted but seems to leave the viewer cold by the end. A better or at least a more complete ending would have made this a more enjoyable viewing experience.

When the film begins, Darwan (Ben Kingsley) is a very hardworking guy--working both night and day driving taxis and teaching folks to drive. He meets a pathetic lady, Wendy (Patricia Clarkson),when her husband of over 20 years dumps her in his cab! Coincidentally, when she starts picking up the pieces of her life, Wendy decides she wants to learn to drive so she can go to Vermont to spend time with her daughter...and she calls Darwan's driving school. Through the course of the film, she and Darwan become friends...which is good, as he needs a lot of patience because she's a horrible driver..just horrible.

Clarkson and Kingsley are both really good actors...so I did enjoy the film simply so I could watch them. But as for the script, it left me a bit flat because the ending was so abrupt and anticlimactic. See the film for yourself...and see if you, too, agree.

Darwan Singh Tur (Ben Kingsley) is a Sikh from Queens. He was a political refugee from India. He teaches driving and drives a cab. He picks up Ted (Jake Weber) and Wendy (Patrician Clarkson) who are fighting about his infidelity. They are getting a divorce. Their daughter Tasha (Grace Gummer) is in Vermont. Wendy needs to drive to the remote farm but she never got a driver license. She decides to take lessons from Darwan. He's hiding his nephew Preet who is an illegal. Jasleen (Sarita Choudhury) arrives from India to get into an arranged marriage with Darwan. Debbie (Samantha Bee) is Wendy's sister. Wendy and Darwan try to solve their personal problems as they become unexpected friends.

There are solid human performances from veterans Patricia Clarkson and Ben Kingsley. There are some funny moments and a friendly relationship. It's not the most dramatic story but it does have good humanity. The ultimate understated climax could be done slightly better. It's a nice indie with great actors.