Spanish Dir Isabel Croixet's film LEARNING to DRIVE with Ben Kingsley & Patricia Clarkson

LEARNING to DRIVE is a contemporary movie filmed in NYC by one of Spain's most prolific and highly awarded film directors, Isable Coixet.  Coixet assembled and int'l cast of 1st rate actors and directs a movie that so easily could have taken wrong turns and a led foot on the gas pedal towards pithy allegories on steering oneself through life.  The brilliant cast include Ben Kingsley, Patricia Clarkson and Sarita Choudhury.  Darwan (Kingsley) is an Amer. citizen who received political asylum after having been a political prisoned in India.  While he has been granted citizen "just under the wire in 2000" according to an officer who has arrested 2 of his undocumented housemates.  Darwan is a religious sheikh with a righteous moral compass.  Don't mistake his steady kindness for a pompous ass.  That would be Wendy's husband.  Wendy (Patricia Clarkson) plays a Jill Clayburgh character as in "An Unmarried Woman." She exudes sympathy, resiliency, strength & credibility to her part. Wendy's  husband just left her for a younger woman. He tries to flee by getting in the taxi being driven by Darwan.  Darwan is an unwitting party to Wendy's ignominious betrayal.  He drives Wendy home (alone.)  Bewildered and dismayed, Wendy leaves a package in the cab.  He returns the package (this is a bit of a stretch) and refuses payment.  But, Wendy signs up for his driving lessons (his 2nd job) so she can visit her daughter in VT.  The symbiotic friendship gets in high gear as they listen and learn from each other.  I was completely taken along for a joyride by this intelligent and heartfelt movie.  "People are not meant to be alone."  People - head straight for this poignant picture that should earn the 3 leads Oscar nom., along with best dir. and best picture nominations.  I give it the green light in all directions.