DRIVING LESSONS

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for language, sexual content and some thematic material
Released in Theaters: Oct. 13, 2006

This coming-of-age comedy tells the story of shy, world-weary Ben (Rupert Grint — yes, Ron Weasley!). He’s just 17, but not looking forward to yet another dreary school holiday with his overbearing mom and mild-mannered dad. They’re conservative and traditional, and it drives him loco.

While the other kids are having fun, Ben spends these precious few weeks going to Bible class, taking driving lessons with his mom, and helping at an old age home. Not the most exciting times.

Then, while searching through the job listings in the stuffy parish magazine Hello Jesus, he meets Evie, an eccentric retired actress who is vulgar and childish. Evie employs Ben as her assistant and whisks him away on various adventures, from camping, to performing Shakespeare in the garden to attending the Edinburgh festival — where he finally meets a girl his own age.

Ben’s time with Evie forces him to start thinking about the kind of life he wants for himself. Will he choose the safe road or adventure? Hmmm…

In his first foray after Harry Potter, Grint is adorably gawky in this fun tale about two people connecting in an unlikely adventure. It’s a winner, and just might have you thinking about your own future.