You might hear the title, Driving Madeleine (French title: Une Belle Course) and then the logline about a driver taxiing a 92 year old woman around Paris and instantly think ‘aha!’ It is a French Driving Miss Daisy! Well having absolutely nothing to do with that 1989 Best Picture Oscar winner that so memorably starred Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman, the two films do have something in common. They are both irresisibly cast with exceptional veteran stars who both grab the heart and never let go.
A selection of the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival, this quintissentially French film may surprise you with its sheer grit. Yes, it is a road trip where the gorgeously shot City Of Lights is undeniably the third major star in it, but the story, from a screenplay by Cyril Gely and adapation by Christian Carion who is the director, goes places I never expected.
The set up is simple. Charles (Dany Boon) is a taxi driver having a very bad day, and as we learn also going through some tough personal problems. He is loathe to take on another fare, but when he learns it is an old lady who wants him to drive a good distance to the nursing home into which she is moving that day, he just can’t resist the much needed money.
Picking up 92 years old Madeleine (Line Renaud) in front of her nicely appointed home, she tells him of her ultimate destination but first wants to take a few detours, basically a nostalgic trip back to places in Paris that have defined her life. As they drive along Carion takes us into flashbacks of that life, first a wartime romance with the true love of her life, a soldier who was later killed in action and never knew Madeleine was pregnant with his son. Another flashback introduces us to the volatile Ray whom Madeleine eventually married, but as we learn she and her son would be the victims of much abuse by this man. Those scenes are vividly played by Alice Isaaz as the younger Mado and Jeremie Laheurte as Ray and their relationship devolves into shocking melodramatic territory.
More tragedy enters, but Carion wisely keeps the focus inside the taxi, and later even a meal at a restaurant as Madeleine and Charles strike up a beautiful relationship of their own along the streets of Paris, a city Madeleine thinks she will not see the lights of again once she arrives at the home, a necessity she says because her body can no longer take the stairs and difficulty of living alone. In just 91 minutes we learn much about both of these people who on this one day will significantly change each others lives in ways they never expected, nor do we. Quite a ride.
Carion is best known for the Oscar nominated Joyeux Noel, as well as others such as The Son and Come What May, but he never goes for easy sentiment for the bulk of the running time, and he is fortunate to have the legendary French singer and actress Line Renaud given such a significant role at age 95. She is wonderful and quite unforgettable as a woman still very much in charge of her mind, if not her body. Dany Boon is one of France’s top comedic actors but here gets a nice change of pace and proves he can go dramatic just as easily. Phillipe Rombi contributes a lovely melodic score that blends perfectly with the well chosen classic songs that also are prominently featured on the soundtrack.
It is about time this fine little gem that has been travelling the world for the past year finally hits the U.S., a french gift indeed for the new year, one where you may find it impossible not to shed a few tears by the time Madeleine and Charles reach their destination.
Title: Driving Madeleine
Distributor: Cohen Media Group
Release Date: January 12, 2024 (NY/LA, Wider January 19)
Director: Christian Carion
Screenplay/Story: Cyril Gely (Adaptation: Christian Carion)
Cast: Line Renaud, Dany Boon, Alice Isaaz, Jeremie Laheurte
Running Time: 1 hour and 31 minutes.