Driving Lessons

Ron Weasley and his mum take a road trip. That just about describes the plot of Driving Lessons, a slight but amusing British comedy starring Harry Potter co-stars Rupert Grint and Julie Walters. And although they aren't exactly reprising their Potter roles (Walters has a mouth here that would make a Teamster blush), it's pretty much the same dynamic. The actual storyline involves a shy 17-year-old (Grint) living under the shadow of his overtly religious mother (Laura Linney), whose quiet existence is turned inside out when he goes to work for a drunken former actress (Walters) who insists this unlicensed driver take her on the road to an "appearance" at the Edinburgh Festival. Because of this unforgettable pair, it becomes a remarkably entertaining journey and one of the year's unexpected little delights. Due to his Harry Potter exposure, Grint is the box office draw here, but he smartly underplays the role, letting the old English pro Walters steal every scene she's in, which is probably a wise move since she'll be back playing his mother in next summer's Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Don't wanna piss off mum, eh Ron? At any rate, Driving Lessons stands up well on its own, so if you're in the mood for a time killer, step on the gas and check it out.