Driving Madeleine is a love letter to the city of Paris with scenes capturing its many sides.
Taxi driver, Charles (Dany Boon) reluctantly takes on an early morning booking that on the surface will pocket him a huge fare. He begins to regret his decision when cantankerous Madeleine (French screen legend, Line Renaud) is waiting at the pickup point.
Despite his own personal grievances, Charles realises that his problems are nowhere near as hard-pressing as Madeleine’s. At the age of 92, she must bow to the pressure of family and doctors, and be forced into an assisted living facility. With the day at her disposal, Madeleine intends to drag it out for as long as possible, using Charles to indulge her final hours of freedom.
As the journey unfolds, so too does the story of Madeleine’s long and eventful life. The pace swerves and fluctuates at times, leaving some backstory a bit unbelievable, and the ending, predictable. Boon gives a good performance.
Driving Madeleine opens nationally today. Check your local guides for screening times.
About Driving Madeleine
Length: 91 minutes
Rating: MA 15+
Language: French with English subtitles
Directed by Christian Carion
Stars Dany Boon, Line Renaud, Alice Isaaz
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