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Shawshank Redemption and the 10 best Morgan Freeman movies of all time

By Wesley Lara

PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Morgan Freeman of the television show "The Story of God" speaks during the National Geographic segment of the 2019 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on February 10, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)
PASADENA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 10: Morgan Freeman of the television show "The Story of God" speaks during the National Geographic segment of the 2019 Winter Television Critics Association Press Tour at The Langham Huntington, Pasadena on February 10, 2019 in Pasadena, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images) /
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8: Driving Miss Daisy

Original Release Date: December 15, 1989

Box Office: Thanks to its relatively tiny budget of $7.5 million, Driving Miss Daisy made back its expenses and then some, with a high gross of $145 million.

Critical Acclaim: Although the film has received a more mixed reception nowadays, the film adaptation of the play has been the recipient of high critical acclaim during its release and four Oscar wins, including Best Picture.

About the Role: Freeman reprises his role from the famous play as Hoke Colburn, a chauffeur tasked with driving around the wealthy and irritable Miss Daisy.

Simply the Best: Evaluating Driving Miss Daisy in 2020 is something of a double-edged sword. Much has been said about the questionable intentions of its racial politics, but that’s another article for another day. Point is, the now-controversial Best Picture winner from 1989 has nonetheless made an impact thanks to its easily quotable script and game performances, first from Jessica Tandy, who earned a Best Actress nod for the lead role, and Morgan Freeman, who shines opposite her as Hoke Colburn.

Set from the 40s all the way to the 70s, Driving Miss Daisy shows Freeman in one of his most tender and friendly roles driving around the wealthy Daisy, with the two of them beginning to bond as friends despite their differences. It’s very much similar to Green Book, though I think this one handles its subject matter with considerably more thought and good intentions.

It also has a wonderful and charming performance from Freeman, playing his role with an earnestness that is hard to come by in film even today. It may not be perfect, but Morgan Freeman more than justifies seeing the film at least once in your life.

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