Rupert Grint - Rupert's 'Driving Lessons' Movie App.#2~ 'cause he's driven right into the spotlight!

darcybennett · 11-07-2006, 09:32 AM

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Welcome to Rupert's 'Driving Lessons' Movie Discussion Thread #2
Link to the previous thead is HERE

This thread is dedicated to Rupert's soon to be released movie 'Driving Lessons'. He signed on to play the young son of a vicar, named Ben Marshall.

The official trailer is finally available to watch!! You can view it HERE!!!

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Official Tartan Films' Driving Lessons Website
Official Sony Pictures Classics' Driving Lessons Website

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The Harry Potter site - TLC has announced a North American release date!

Quote:

Driving Lessons, starring Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) and Julie Walters (Mrs. Weasley), has been granted a limited release starting October 13 via Sony Pictures Classics. This means it will be in select cities/venues; we'll update with more infor whenever it comes.

Thanks to Amy (baileycat) for bringing it to our attention!

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International Theater Releases:

U.K. - September 8th, 2006
U.S. - October 13th, 2006
Canada - November 10th, 2006
Italy - December 1st, 2006
Thailand - December 14th, 2006
Portugal - February 22nd, 2007
Brazil - March 9th, 2007
Taiwan - April 4th, 2007
New Zealand - April 19th, 2007
Australia - July 7th, 2007

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DVD Release Dates:

U.K. - December 26th, 2006
Brazil - May 23rd, 2007
U.S. & Canada - July 3rd, 2007

U.S. DVD Cover

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'Driving Lessons' was released in the U.K. on September 8th!

and in North America on October 13th!

For Canadian fans: Driving Lessons will be released in Canada on November 10th in both Toronto and Vancouver. It will be showed at Canada Square in Toronto and at Fifth Avenue in Vancouver. The canadian distributor is Mongrel Media. Hopefully, there will be other releases in other cities soon.

The home DVD will be released December 26, 2006 in the UK. A distribution deal for the North American market has also now been worked out, stay tuned for details as we learn them.

The DVD sleeve was scanned by The Snitch and you can see it HERE! As well as the information on the special features!!

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Synopsis:

Quote:

The Graduate meets Harold And Maude in this rites of passage comedy with yet another dreary school holiday coming around for the shy and downtrodden Ben (RUPERT GRINT). Seventeen years of living in an absurdly conservative and traditional household with his highly-strung and overbearing mother (LAURA LINNEY) and quiet, mild mannered vicar father have taken its toll on young Ben. While the other kids are out having fun, Ben spends these precious few weeks attending bible classes, having driving lessons with his mother and helping out at a local old people's home.

However, Ben's world is turned upside down when he's employed by an eccentric retired actress Evie (JULIE WALTERS). Vulgar, dignified and childish all at once, she certainly is not the kind of person Ben expected when searching through the job listings in the stuffy parish magazine, "Hello Jesus". Evie enters Ben's life with a cataclysmic force, whisking him away on a series of adventures from camping, to performing Shakespeare in the garden, to attending the Edinburgh festival - where he finally meets a girl much nearer his own age.

Evie's unconventional and often downright bizarre behaviour challenges Ben's beliefs, and forces him to confront the very idea of who he wants to be. Then, when it seems that his new-found freedom is about to be taken away, Ben has to suddenly choose; should he continue to conform, or break out and live his life as his own man?

DRIVING LESSONS is a heartfelt, touching and positively hilarious look at the effect one delightfully eccentric older woman can have on a young man with a lot to learn...

From an interview with Rupert in German's 'ONE' magazine, which mentions briefly in the text 'Driving Lessons':

Quote:

During the filming of his film 'Driving Lessons', Rupert Grint met an old friend. It was actress Julie Walters who plays Ron's mother, Mrs. Weasley, in the Harry Potter saga. In this film, which will hit theatres in spring 2006 , Rupert plays a shy teenager named Ben who gets totally suffocated by his dominant mother (played by Laura Linney, who can be seen in 'The Exorcism of Emily Rose') and all attemts to elude her fail until he meets Evie (Julie Walters), a former actress. Ben's suffering from the strict education of his father, who's a vicar in London and his dominant mother. He's suffocating in the religious family atmosphere, in which prohibitions rule everyday life. When his mother forces him to take part in a play that's organized by the parish, he's angry because he has to play an eucalyptus tree and his classmates are laughing at him.

Things change when the former actress starts to interfere the staging of the play. She's sorry for Ben, who looks bizarre in his costume, and doesn't mince matters to tell off the parish council. Afterwards she goes on the run with Ben to far away Scotland in her old car. Evie gives Ben driving lessons and teaches him about life and freedom.

Quote:

The Graduate meets Harold And Maude in this rite of passage comedy. Driving Lessons is a heartfelt, touching and positively hilarious look at the effect one delightfully eccentric older woman can have on a young man with a lot to learn.
Seventeen years of living in an absurdly conservative and traditional household have taken its toll on young Ben (Rupert Grint). While the other kids are out having fun, Ben spends those precious summer weeks attending bible classes, having driving lessons with his mother and helping out at a local old people’s home.
However, Ben’s world is turned upside down when he’s employed by an eccentric retired actress Evie (Julie Walters). Vulgar, dignified and childish all at once, she certainly is not the kind of person Ben expected when searching through the job listings in the stuffy parish magazine, “Hello Jesus”.
Evie’s unconventional and often downright bizarre behaviour challenges Ben’s beliefs, and forces him to confront the very idea of who he wants to be.

Facts:

Rupert filmed this in the summer of 2005, between ‘Goblet of Fire’ and ‘Order of the Phoenix’
Co-stars Academy Award nominated actresses Laura Linney, who plays his domineering mother, and Julie Walters (Evie) who has worked with Rupert before in the ‘Harry Potter’ movie series, as Mrs. Weasley
The drama-comedy is supposedly loosely based on Jeremy Brock’s own life
Filmed entirely on location in London and Edinburgh

Cast:
Rupert Grint............ Ben Marshall
Julie Walters........... Evie Walton
Laura Linney........... Laura Marshall
Nicholas Farrell......... Reverend Marshall
Tamsin Egerton........ Sarah
Michelle Duncan....... Bryony

Original poster

Brand spankin' new poster

A new brand spankin' new poster

Production Information:
Directed and written by: Jeremy Brock, best known for his Oscar nominated screenplay of Mrs. Brown
Full Length Film, 35 mm
Run Time: 94 min.
RubberTreePlant Productions, ContentFilm
Producer: Julia Cashman
Executive Producers: Edward R. Pressman and Alessandro Camon
Co-financed by U.K. Film Council’s Premiere Fund

Pictures:

On set pictures: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7

3 new production stills have now surfaced: 1, 2 and 3

One set of 3 new pictures have been released: HERE

Video Preview:

You can find it HERE – it's the last one in list of selections. Unfortunately, RGMS is no longer functional, therefore the link is no longer available. Sorry.

On the Tribeca Film festival's Web site, there is a small clip featuring Rupert. It's a great scene where Ben wants to read Sarah (his crush) the poem he wrote for her. He's wonderful in the scene, so effective as the awkward and shy boy who doesn't really know how to act or behave around girls. It's available to watch at this link.

comingsoon.net has two new clips from the film, you can view them HERE. You'll need Quicktime to view.

Screenings:

The Jameson Dublin International Film Festival will be taking place this month starting February 17th and running until February 26th in Dublin, Ireland.
Julie Walters will be on hand to talk about Driving Lessons at the festival.

The first screening for the film took place Monday, February 20th at 6:00pm GMT.
For more information, please check out the link, HERE.

The Tribeca Film Festival will be screening it as well, starting April 30th!

After the premiere which took place April 30th, the Festival has added an additional screening for the movie. See below for details.

The schedule is as follows:

Sunday, April 30th, 8:30pm – Pace U Schimmel Center
Monday, May 1st, 10:00pm – Tribeca Cinemas 2
Saturday, May 6th, 9:30pm – AMC Loews Lincoln Sq. 1
Saturday, May 6th, 9:30pm - AMC Loews Lincoln Sq. 3

Here's the movie's summary posted at the festival's Web site:

Quote:

From across the pond comes this heartwarming tale about two unlikely friends. Summer vacation for Ben (Rupert Grint) involves bible study class, work at a convalescent home, and driving lessons from his overbearing and overly religious mother (Laura Linney). It may not be a 17-year-old's dream summer, but with a demanding, vigilant mother and a passive vicar for a father, Ben doesn't have much choice. However, his absurdly straitlaced life begins to unravel when he gets a job assisting Evie (Julie Walters), a former grand dame of the British stage and screen. Dignified, vulgar, and childish all at once, Evie spends most of her time in her garden. Suddenly caught between two worlds, Ben starts to gravitate towards his employer's alien ways, even though it continually gets him in trouble with his mother. One day Evie drags Ben on a camping trip, only to extend their journey by having the unlicensed Ben drive her to the Edinburgh Festival, where she is scheduled to give a poetry reading. Reluctantly, Ben ignores his innate conservativism and jumps behind the wheel. What follows is a journey that very much resembles the two-way road on which Ben and Evie travel, as each helps the other move forward in their radically different lives. Accomplished screenwriter Jeremy Brock loosely based Driving Lessons on his own life. He has adjusted effortlessly to the director's chair, as his personal touches perfectly accentuate this highly enjoyable road movie.

It has now been confirmed that Driving Lessons will be showing at the festival of all film festivals... in Cannes!!!!!

The festival is running from May 17 – 28, 2006. Screening schedule to be determined.

We now have a confirmed screening schedule, 'Driving Lessons' first screening will be on the first official day of the festival - May 17th,

Screening schedule:

Wednesday May 17th, 5:30pm - ARCADES 1
Thursday May 18th, 2:00pm - OLYMPIA 5
Saturday May 20th, 2:00pm - OLYMPIA 5

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June 15, 2006
It has now been confirmed that the movie will be screening at the 28th Annual Moscow International Film Festival, being held in the nation's capital from June 23-July 2, 2006! It will be part of 17 films in "prime competition".

With the movie up for competition, this means that Rupert will also be eligible for a Best Actor award. The films and actors awards will be handed out after the jury makes their selections on the last day of the festival, July 2nd.

Quote:

Sole U.S. entry is Robert Towne's "Ask the Dust." Britain's Jeremy Brock's "Driving Lessons" completes the English-language lineup.

THIS looks to be the festival's official website.

~~No screening schedule has been made available at this time.~~

Screening schedule:
June 30th - 12:00 pm (noon) at the Octyabr Cinema / 1 hall
June 30th - 8:30 pm at the Octyabr Cinema / 1 hall
July 1st - 7:00 pm at the Rolan Cinema.
July 2nd - 6:00 pm at the Octyabr Cinema / 2 hall

As reported before, Driving Lessons was up against 17 other films in the Main Competition category and it won an amazing 4 awards!

1- Russian Guild of Film Critics for the best film in Competition
2- Golden St.George Award - Special Grand Jury Prize
3- Audience Award for Best Film in Main Competition (from exit polls)
4- Silver St.George Award - Best Actress: Julie Walters

Even if he didn't win anything, we must still congratulate Rupert for his part in making Driving Lessons' the wonderful success it is today; we must also congratulate the rest of the cast and the entire crew for their incredible work in the making of this film, and of course, a special nod to Jeremy Brock and Julie Walters!
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July 1, 2006:
It will also be screened at the 23rd Annual Jerusalem Film Festival, running July 6th - 15th, 2006.

Screening schedule:
July 7th - 2:00 pm at the Jerusalem Theater, 20 Marcus Street
July 10th - 2:15 pm at the Jerusalem Cinematheque 1, 11 Hebron Road
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July 9th, 2006:

It was announced today that the film will be screening at the Edinburgh International Film Festival in Scotland. No date and time at this time, however a complete programme is scheduled to be announced Wednesday July 13th.

Screening schedule:
Aug. 25 (Fri), 5:30 PM at Cineworld 2, Fountain Park
Aug. 26 (Sat), 4:00 PM at Dominion Morningside

Due to popular demand, an additional screening has been added..
Aug. 27 (Sun), 10:00 AM at Cameo 1

Tickets are available for booking starting on July 14th. Details and information can be found HERE. If you prefer buying tickets in person or by phone, you can find all of that information, HERE.

Information on the venues can be found HERE

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July 11th, 2006:

'Driving Lessons' is going back to Ireland, it will now be screening at Galway Film Fleadh with a special screening Wednesday July 12th, 2006 at 7:00 pm at the Town Hall Main Theater.

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August 3rd, 2006:

'Driving Lessons' will be screening at the 15th Seaward Chichester Film Festival, it will be closing out the festival at its 'Closing Gala'.

Screening Schedule:
September 9th @ 11:00 am
September 9th @ 8:30 pm

The second showing will be preceded by food and wine being served at 7:30 pm, with Jeremy Brock expected to be in attendance, to introduce the film.

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September 25th, 2006
The film screened at the Breckenridge Film Festival in Colorado, on September 8th @ 6:00 pm at the Speakeasy Movie Theater.
It will next screen at the Aspen Film Fest again in Colorado, on September 27th @ 5:30 pm at the Wheeler Opera House.
Driving Lessons will have its theatrical release in Australia on December 26th!!
Crown Theaters in Maryland, as well as in Connecticut. No release dates for those locations have been made available.
Festival Do Rio 2006 will be screening the movie:

Screenings
Sunday, October 1st @ midnight in the Space Unibanco de Botafogo 2
Tuesday, October 3rd @ 2:00 pm & 7:00 pm in the Art Fashion Mall 3
Thursday, October 5th @ 4:30 pm & 9:30 pm in the Sao Luiz 3
The 17th Dinard British Film Festival taking place between October 5th & 8th. No screening times are available at this time.
Copenhagen Film Festival:

Screenings:
September 27th @ 7:00 pm at CinemaxX
September 29th @ 9:30 pm at Dagmar

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October 3, 2006:
Roma Film Fest:

Screenings:
October 19th @ 10:00 am ~ Petrassi Cinema
October 20th @ 10:30 am ~ Politeama Cinema

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October 18, 2006:
The 10th Annual Canberra International Film Festival

According to their, Driving Lessons Page, the screening schedule is:
October 28th @ 6:00 pm ~ Electric Shadows Cinema
Fort Lauderdale International Film Fest weekend of October 21-22, 2006.

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October 30, 2006

Gijón International Film Festival

Screening:
November 29th @ 9:30 am - Teatro Jovellanos

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It was reported on the ContentFilm Web site that Tartan Films had acquired all UK and Ireland rights to the distribution of the movie, which is apparently scheduled for release at the end of the year. It has also been reported that DL will be getting an American distributor once it shows at Tribeca.

ordinaryday · 11-09-2006, 11:16 AM

for a new thread.

Thanks Darcy.

Love the title.

darcybennett · 11-10-2006, 09:09 AM

You're welcome!

Yeah. I'm kind of fond of the title myself.

More great reviews!

Boca Raton News ~ Skip Sheffield

Quote:

"Rupert Grint has his first grown-up leading man role in 'Driving Lessons'... such a likeable kid it is fun to see him being manly and getting the girl. Grint is not just a flaky, red-haired sidekick to Harry Potter; he is an actor of growing assurance who looks to enjoy a long, fruitful career."

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Star Tribune ~ Jeff Strickler

Quote:

"Brock's alter ego is played by Rupert Grint, who convincingly puts some distance between this role and his Ron Weasley part in the 'Harry Potter' movies."

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NOW Toronto ~ Glenn Sumi

Quote:

"..Grint, who's perfected the art of the adolescent glower and holds his own even with his more experienced co-stars."

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ON-Milwaukee Movies ~ Heather Leszczewicz

Quote:

"Without Grint playing Ben low-key, 'Driving Lessons' would be completely lost. His scenes with either Linney or (Walton) are the best in the movie."

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Toronto Sun ~ Liz Braun

Quote:

"Harry Potter sidekick Rupert Grint -- also putting in a memorable performance -- stars as Ben..."

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JS Online ~ Sue Pierman

Quote:

The hero of 'Driving Lessons' is a gawky, artistic Christian teen... Choosing red-headed Rupert Grint.. to play the ultimate outcast proves a shrewd casting choice... with eyes downcast under dusty-white eyelashes, (that) Grint doesn't beg your sympathy, he demands it."

ordinaryday · 11-11-2006, 10:37 AM

Seriously. I love this quotes I think it's safe to say majority of the critics like our Rupert.

darcybennett · 11-12-2006, 08:30 PM

Oh, I think it goes beyond just liking him... they almost worship him!

And who can blame them?

I've read so many reviews where the critics say how much they love Rupes, or how he's fast become one of their favorite young actors... he's really captivated them.

**baileycat** · 11-13-2006, 04:16 PM

I just saw over at rg.net that Driving Lessons IS coming to my town.

On December 22nd it opens at a cinema just 2 minutes away from here! I'm super excited. Now I finally get to see it. My friend in T.O. back out on me so I couldn't go this past weekend which bummed me out but now I'm back in good spirits again. Weeee!

darcybennett · 11-14-2006, 07:00 AM

Aw Amy, how wonderful!!

I'm sure it must have been a real disappointment not beeing able to see it when you were somewhat relatively close but I'm so happy for you that it's coming even closer to you now!

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Additional Canadian dates

Dec 8 – Ottawa (Bytowne Theatre)
Dec 22 – Saskatoon (Broadway Theatre)
Dec 22 – Waterloo (Princess Cinema)
Jan 5 – London (Hyland)

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Another wonderful review!

File Thirteen

Quote:

"I suppose this film has been done before and I suppose it has been done better but I love Rupert Grint and I must say I was very moved and impressed by his performance in 'Driving Lessons...' Yes, Grint is so adorable that looking at him waiting for a bus for 90 minutes would be wonderful viewing but seeing him in such a sweet and tender role and having him play it pitch perfect is simply a joy... His chemistry with Walters is quite wonderful as well... seeing her with Grint is always amazing and the two seem to bond naturally and perfectly."

ordinaryday · 11-15-2006, 05:04 AM

That's awsome Amy! Be sure to come back here and tell us what you thought.

Another awsome review!

darcybennett · 11-15-2006, 01:15 PM

How about you Jenn... did you finally manage to see it?

ordinaryday · 11-16-2006, 05:07 AM

Unfortunely no.

I haven't found the time.

darcybennett · 11-16-2006, 08:00 AM

Aw.

That's too bad.

Is it still playing in your area though? Maybe you'll have more time to go during Thanksgiving break?!

Or will you wait for it to come out on DVD?

darcybennett · 11-17-2006, 07:52 AM

Some more wonderful reviews!

Barry & District News ~ Clare Sheperd

Quote:

"All the acting as one would expect from such a distinguished cast is of the highest quality, with young Grint really shining and showing real comic timing. He has the most brilliant face for Ben, and has really nailed the wide-eyed baffled look of astonishment."

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NC Times ~ Dan Bennett

Quote:

"..Grint and Linney are effective..."

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Vancouver Sun (direct link is not working)

Quote:

"Grint is simply edible in the role of the shy and earnest Ben... (his) bumbling gift for understated comedy isn't all that well utilized because he's given very little dialogue, and forced to rely mostly on his physical presence to keep the nuttiness going."

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Tom's Mini Movie Reviews ~ Tom R. Farhill

Quote:

Grint can do more acting with only his eyes than most actors can do with their whole bodies...

Ain't that the truth?!

Very keenly good sense of observation Mr. Farhill!

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Bradenton Herald ~ Steven Rea

Quote:

"But Grint's quietness at the center of things - and his character's palpable adolescent pain - holds it all together, even when Walters starts going overboard."

ordinaryday · 11-17-2006, 08:50 AM

love all the quotes.

Quote:

Grint can do more acting with only his eyes than most actors can do with their whole bodies...

Competely true.

darcybennett · 12-01-2006, 07:50 AM

A new review!

Detroit Free Press ~ Terry Lawson

Quote:

The fact that Grint, who has grown up making fantasy films about wizards, gives the most believable performance in the film says a good deal about the exaggerations of his costars Linney and Walters, who are gifted and normally reliable actors.

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Driving Lessons is being released in Italy TODAY!

You can check out the official italian site, HERE! It is being distributed by DNC Entertainment.

The film is also slated to be released on December 14th in Thailand!!

It should be showing at Siam Cinema in Bangkok. Fans in that area can check out this site, for more information and details on its release in Thailand.

**ellie** · 12-08-2006, 05:32 AM

Great news for Rupert fans in the UK!

Driving Lessons is being aired for the first time on television on ITV 1 on Sunday December 17th at 9pm.

Infact, DL was listed as one of the top 10 to watch during the week of the 16th-22nd of December in new! magazine!