How often do we encounter someone for a brief time, who rewards our soul and shapes our understanding of humanity simply by offering a different lens through which to calibrate the world around us? Driving Madeleine is an immensely fulfilling movie that explores one such encounter. The film’s real name is Une Belle Course. It is a French movie that debuted at the Toronto Film Festival in 2022 (released in theaters in January of 2024), directed by Christian Carion. Unless you speak French, you will need to turn on English subtitles! A 92-year-old woman named Madeleine (Line Renaud) requires a taxi ride from the house she is being forced to vacate, to the retirement home where she will reluctantly live out her final days. Her taxi driver, Charles (Dany Boon) is a jaded middle-aged man with no financial security and strained relationships with those in his life. As the taxi ride commences, Madeleine attempts to engage in conversation with Charles. At first, he isn’t interested because he is preoccupied with his life. But Madeleine’s charm, beguiling nature, and storytelling begin to pique his attention. It might be easy to presume this is merely a French equivalent to Driving Miss Daisy or even Green Book. While the basic setup might be similar (two people confined to a vehicle learning about each other), Driving Madeleine is the superior film of the three, in my opinion. Its story is more concise (the film runs a mere 91 minutes). The characters are unveiled beautifully through their dialogue and don’t require a heavy supporting cast to flesh them out. Madeleine’s story takes twists and turns you don’t expect and it exposes several social imbalances that women have endured over the last century. Much of Madeleine’s story is told through flashbacks. Charles' story on the other hand is revealed solely through his memory and dialogue. Line Renaud is a revered French actress and singer who was actually 93 when she filmed this role. She is magnificent in her portrayal of Madeleine. While the health of Madeleine’s body may be declining, her mind and wit are operating at full capacity, and she is going to make the most of every moment she can. She has the wisdom of someone who has lived a very, very full life, but still finds interest in knowing all she can about others… including a taxi driver named Charles. Madeleine’s flashback sequences have actress Alice Isaaz stepping into the role, and her performance detracts nothing from the brilliance that Line Renaud establishes as older Madeleine. Rounding out the primary cast is Dany Boon as Charles. Boon’s performance is wonderful. You feel his pent-up anger, his disillusionment with life, and his reluctance to drop his armor of emotional distance as he slowly falls under the spell of the passenger in his back seat. His final scene in the movie is the only time we see him interact with his wife Karine (Julie Delarme, who makes the most of her tiny role), and his performance is unforgettable. While there is a bit of predictability as the tale rides to its conclusion, it doesn’t make the film any less satisfying. Madeleine and Charles, are two people who meet by sheer fate and who change each other’s lives for the better. In just one day.

Wonderfully sweet movie! The 2 leads were marvelous. Be sure and watch with kleenex in hand to be prepared. Little surprises along the way caught me off guard. But we should never judge a book by it's cover.

Wonderful movie! Cabbie & passenger form a bond as they travel around Paris heading to an assisted living facility. It feels like you are in the taxi as it passes through The City of Light. Bring a tissue for the ending. Watch love and anger dance as life flows along the Seine.

So nice to see Paris. The actress was unknown to me but she was beautiful. Very sweet and heart warming film

An excellent bittersweet tale with both laughs and tears. On the surface, it appears like "Driving Miss Daisy" and indeed it is an exploration to 2 individuals who come from very different worlds. But it goes to places unexpected to reveal each the strengths as well as flaws, of each. Excellent acting, and nice ride through Paris!

I found Madeleine's back story a total surprise and very touching.

Sweet and touching...

Poignant and moving and made in the aesthetic of the old French movies we all loved. Many people sat through the end of the credits, and at the very end we all started talking about how beautiful this film was. When does that ever happen these days? Truly a lovely film. OK.

Lyne Renaud at 95 years old was very touching, The road trip showed us the streets of Paris.

Exquisite, one of the best films ever.

It's a very moving film about the chance encounter of a Paris taxi driver and his 92-year-old female fare. She hires the taxi to take her to an assisted living facility where she's scheduled to move in. But she's in no rush to get there and decides to have the driver take her on a tour of Paris locations that were special to her. During their journey she shares her life with him, some of which is told in flashbacks. And there are a couple of shocking surprises. In turn the driver opens up to her about his own life. The two bond over the course of just a few hours. The performances of Line Renaud and Dany Boon are wonderful.

Nice feel good movie with string message about domestic violence, human fraulty and the power of live. The movie dances you through Paris on American jazz tunes.

Great story and excellent cast! Beautiful film all the way around and a love letter to Paris.

The story was told well, the acting was excellent, and the scenery was beautiful.

Short and sweet. Very light and easy way to spend an afternoon, with these two complex characters. I wasn't a fan of the fairy tale ending. Without giving away spoilers, I would've liked for it to end about 5 minutes earlier so that I could decide for myself what happens to these two after the credits rolled. It is definitely worth a watch, though!

Excellent heartfelt smart story A rich experience Should be a contender for best foreign film !!

Well cast, outstanding script and riveting story.

The scenery & the characters were both wonderful! Starts a little slow, but stick with it— it’s heartwarming! I dare you to not tear up at the end.. Loved it!

So charming! Loved how it went back in time.

Great movie with a wonderful ending