This comedy-drama explores racial prejudice, friendship and the complex relationship between a 72-year-old Jewish woman and her black chauffeur. Daisy Werthan is a retired school teacher and doesn’t want to accept she needs help when she crashes her car into her neighbour’s yard. Her son hires Hoke Colburn as her new driver. And although opposed to the arrangement at first, the pair warms up to each other over the course of the next 25 years.

The film adaptation is suited for interdisciplinary teaching together with the subject of History. It can also act as an introduction to discussions surrounding racism and segregation in American history. The filmed performance along with the script, which is available on the internet, could be a valuable addition to a theatre project week.

Drama · United States · 1987