One of the first gerontological movies I've watched - and enjoyed - was Driving Miss Daisy, staring Jessica Tandy and Morgan Freeman (1989; Directed by Bruce Beresford) - which earned Jessica Tandy an Oscar award for Best Actress and the movie for the Best Picture. It is not surprising that I was a bit cautious with my expectations to Driving Madeleine - assuming it would be a European attemtp to make a new/modern version.
However, to my positive surprise - Driving Madeleine - stands on its own - and rightfully so. This is a 2022, French-Belgian drama, directed by Christian Carion, and starring Line Renaud (as Madeleine - the old woman), and Dany Boon (as Charles, the taxi driver).
The plot is quite simple: Madeleine, and older Parisian, is moving into a nursing home. Her journey - with her taxi driver - becomes a day long tour, of various places along her life, and along Paris. Through this day-long travel - we get to know the unique life story of Madeleine, and at the same time - the life challanges of Chalres.
The beauty and importance of this film lies in its gerontological insight - that aging is a life-long story. Gerontology is a life course discipline. There is no "old age" without many years of living, experiencing and narrating. Moreover, the film examplifies the potential importance of inter-generational contact as a tool for combating stereotypes and ageism.
While not original or trully exceptional - this is a very enjoyable gerontological movie, which can serve as a good starting point for various discussions of old age and aging.
Belgium/France
2022
Director: Christian Carion
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