'Driving Lessons' Online

Academy Award nominee Julie Walters has starred in more than 50 films throughout her career. Now she adds another to her resume: "Driving Lessons," a coming-of-age drama written and directed by Jeremy Brock .

In the movie, Walters stars as a former actress who develops a friendship with a teen (Rupert Grint) who works part-time as her assistant. The film, which also stars Laura Linney, opens Oct. 13 in New York and Los Angeles, and on Nov. 3 in Washington, D.C.

Walters and Brock were online Wednesday, Oct. 4 at noon ET to discuss the film, as well as their respective careers.

Walters has been nominated twice for an Academy Award, first for her role in 1983's "Educating Rita" and again for her work in 2001's "Billy Elliot." She also has co-starred in the "Harry Potter" movies as Mrs. Molly Weasley. Brock is making his directorial debut with "Driving Lessons," but has written several screenplays, including "Mrs. Brown," "Charlotte Gray" and another current release, "The Last King of Scotland."

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Jeremy Brock: It's me, Jeremy Brock. Unfortunately Julie is sick right now but she has asked me to send her apologies from her sick bed and to answer for her in as much as I can.

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Richmond, Va.: Looking forward to the movie. Question for Jeremy: From what I understand, Laura Linney's character's overprotectiveness springs in large measure from her rigid religious beliefs. That's something that we encounter in Bible Belt America but surprises me in secular Britain. What was the intent in playing up the religious side of that rather than just having her be an overly concerned mom?

Jeremy Brock: Because one of the themes of the movie has to do with fundamentalism vs. a more liberal Christian view of the world. The fundamentalist is Mom's the liberal view if Dad's. And I wanted to show what suburban life is like whe those two are in conflict.

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Cincinatti, Ohio: Do you find making more Hollywood-type films in the U.S. more rewarding or smaller, Britian-based films? I'd imagine the financial rewards are better in Hollywood?

Jeremy Brock: My ony experience with working in Hollywood is as a screenwriter. While it's true that financial rewards are higher, it can also be frustratung because so few projects get past development and into production. Working a director on a low-budget movie was the perfect balance for me because I was below the radar. They left me pretty much to my own devices and I was able to make the movie I wanted to make. So creatively, it was by far the most rewarding experience. Financially, it was a disaster! Ask my wife.

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Washington, D.C.: Jeremy, what was it like to direct Rupert Grint? With the majority of his experiences on set for Harry Potter, I'm sure this was a "more grown-up" role for him. Thank you!

Jeremy Brock: It was a joy to work with Rupert because of the naturalness that he brings to the screen. I've watched him in the Potter movies and felt for years that he was underexploited. So when he agreed to take the part, I knew I had the star I wanted because in this movie he is a character who has to convey their feelings, the feelings of an adolescent who can't express themselves, they have to convey those feelings on their face. And Rupert has a face that the camera just loves. It also helps that he's extremely good-looking, said the cynical director!

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Washington, D.C.: What inspired the movie?

Jeremy Brock: The movie is based on my own life. I lived my adolescence in a very controlled environment in the kind of suburbia that exists all over the world. I met and stayed with a great English actress called Peggy Ashcroft before she died, and that friendship was the inspiration for the "love story" between Ben, played by Rupert Grint, and Evie, played so wonderfully by Julie Walters.

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Washington, D.C.: A question for Jeremy: Did you work on the screenplays for "Last King of Scotland" and "Driving Lessons" simultaneously or back-to-back? I haven't seen either movie yet, but they seem incredibly different and was just wondering if it was hard to make the mental switch from one to the other. Thanks. Best of luck with both films.

Jeremy Brock: I worked on them back-to-back. I had completed the screenplay of "Driving Lessons," which was uncommissioned and which I kept to myself. So I was in in pre-production for that movie when I was working on "The Last King of Scotland." And they're so different that it made it somehow easier. Although the subject matter of each movie is very different, they are in a strange way both rites of passage movies. So while they are so different, there are parallels in the themes which made the transition either.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think the reactions of American vs. British audiences will differ any? If so, in what ways?

Jeremy Brock: This is a movie about friendship and faith. It's a movie about what it's like to grow up in a very controlled environment and to break free through the friendship of a true iconoclast. To that extent, I believe it's a universal story. Having said that, I think American audiences are more comfortable with the kind of emotions that Ben and Evie explore together than Anglo-Saxon audiences who are sometimes uncomfortable with the idea of a deep friendship between a younger man and an older woman. Here, in America, I think people accept the strength of emotional ties between the generations in a way that the English are sometimes embarassed to admit to.

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Washington, D.C.: How do you feel about the movie coming out in fall, with many other great movies?

Jeremy Brock: I'm flattered! I'm also aware that my movie is very small and there are some big hitters out there. However, I believe the word of mouth on the film will be its best advocate. I also think Sony Pictures Classics are running a very astute campaign by not shouting too loudly about our little film, but letting it creep up on people.

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New York, N.Y.: Jeremy: What a big month for you. I have heard rave reviews on "Last King of Scotland." What can you tell me about "Driving Lessons"?

Jeremy Brock: After "Last King of Scotland," "Driving Lessons" was a joy to make because it's a small character study about love, identity and friendship. And it stars two charismatic actors in Julie Walters and Rupert Grint. And it's a chance for audiences to enjoy what I think the British do so well, which is the small but detailed study of character.

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Washington, D.C.: I can't wait to see this movie, the trailer was hilarious. Did you create it for British audiences or did you imagine it would have a much broader appeal from the outset? I absolutely love Julie Walters and Rupert Grint and think they have amazing chemistry onscreen.

Jeremy Brock: I definitely wanted this movie to have the widest audience possible. Weirdly enough, the way to get the widest audience is to be true to the specific story you're telling and never to think about that. But in my dreams I never thought I'd have a combination like Julie Walters and Rupert Grint. And honestly the screen chemistry between them is what makes this movie so special for me. They're a genuine odd couple in a story that does lift your spirits and leave you hoping that the character of Ben will go on and make something of his life. Go and see it and spread the word!

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Washington, D.C.: Jeremy - what other films you have worked on? What do you think is your best work to date?

Jeremy Brock: I've worked on "Mrs. Brown" and "Charlotte Gray" and on both movies I wrote the screenplay. I have written a bunch of movies that are still "in development." I'm currently working on another movie for Kevin MacDonald, the director of "Last King of Scotland." I hope that my best work to date is the work that's out there now!

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Munich, Germany: Have you ever worked on the other side of the camera, namely in front as an actor or on the stage?

I'm sure that when writing a script, that you've imagined the scenes being played out, but I've often wondered how a director can visualize and construct a scene without having worked as an actor himself.

Jeremy Brock: I was once a child actor during a brief and unsuccessful career in front of the camera! I do believe that the best directors know what it feels like, but having said that, the job of the director is so unique that there is no one way to achieve it, but many ways.

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Arlington, Va.: Too bad Julie isn't here-- I wanted to ask her for insider gossip about the new Potter movie.

Jeremy:

I'm always kind of fascinated by the creative process of making movies. I imagine no one ever goes into a project with the aim of making an only mediocre film (outside of Hollywood, maybe?), but at the same time, it seems sometimes I hear about a movie with a great director, talented actors, a supposedly a good script, but come out of the theater disappointed.

On the other hand, I was lucky enough to get a pass to an advanced screening of "The Last King of Scotland" and I absolutely loved it (definitely recommend it going to see it, everyone) and I've already heard Oscar buzz regarding Forest's performance. So, I guess I'm wondering: Did you know going into it that this film would be so good, or do you just wait to see what turns out on the print in the end?

Jeremy Brock: When you start any movie, if it's remotely ambitious you want it to be your best work. Movies are such a complex collaboration between many talents such as writers, actors, directors, that many things can go wrong. But if you're lucky to work with a director like Kevin MacDonald on "The Last King of Scotland" you know that you're working with an exceptional talent and that your chances for success have already leapt much higher.

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Washington, D.C.: How did you find working with a young actor (Rupert Grint) who has little experience with the varying styles of different directors?

Jeremy Brock: In a funny way, Rupert is more experienced than many young actors. Even with different directors. On "Potter," he has now worked with four directors and he came to "Driving Lessons" with a huge experience of filmmaking, but he was new to indie filmmaking and he loved making a movie in six weeks. In six weeks on Potter, he might shoot only two scenes. We had the best time making "Driving Lessons" because of his excitement and I think it shows.

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Washington, D.C.: Are the eccentricities of Evie Walton based on experiences you've had with actors in the past?

Jeremy Brock: There are other actors who were folded in to the character of Evie and what I love about her personality is what I love about actors, namely that they are vulnerable, funny, exaggerating, sometimes wild, sometimes deadly serous but it takes something special to expose your personality like the best actors do. And that's why Evie in "Driving Lessons" is a character that Julie Walters desperately wanted to play. She completely got the character and made her her own. Go and see the movie, just to enjoy what Julie Walters does with this part because you're watching the best talent at work. She's brilliant.

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Bethesda, Md.: As an actress, how do you approach a role? And when it comes to writing a screenplay do have people in mind to play the part?

Jeremy Brock: I'm sorry taht Julie is sick and unable to be here. Let me say that when you're writing a part like Evie in "Driving Lessons" it helps enormously to have the voice of Julie Walters in your head, particularly for the humor. In terms of how Julie prepares for a performance, I watched how carefully she rehearsed, how carefully she learned her lines in order to be able to experiment when she was on-set. Like all the best actors, she's got everything down technically and then on top of that, she's able to stay loose and try stuff out. Also, her focus is remarkable, very like Laura Linney's.

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Chinatown, Washington, D.C.: I am a huge Harry Potter fan and really loved "Billy Elliot." How much of an impact did working as Mrs. Weasley have on your ability to work with Rupert in such a different setting and capacity? Will you continue with the role as Mrs. Weasley?

Looking forward to both "Driving Lessons" and OOTP!

Jeremy Brock: Julie found the fact that she and Rupert had worked together before was a huge help, particularly as the relationship between Ben and Evie in "Driving Lessons" is much more demanding and requires them to run with a whole bunch of different emotions. It's more complex and goes deeper.

I know that Julie loves playing Mrs. Weasley and she's up for it!

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Washington, D.C.: What was it like working with Julie Walters? What drew you to her to play the part?

Jeremy Brock: What drew me to Julie was her unique combination of comic and dramatic skills. The way she plays Evie is so warm that even when she's behaving outrageously and selfishly, we still have sympathy for her and we still want her and Ben to come through and make it as friends. That's down to her charisma as an actress.

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Arlington: Regarding so many possibilities for things to go wrong: I read that you guys filmed The Last King in the the real deal-- Uganda. I would have expected South Africa, but not Uganda. Who's idea was that? Also, were you in Africa for the duration of the project?

I think it played a mayor role in why the I thought the movie was so great, but it also seems like a huge risk.

Jeremy Brock: The choice to shoot in Uganda was down to Kevin MacDonald, the director, and he held out for that despite pressure from executives to shoot in South Africa. And Uganda is one of the reasons the movie works so well. Because it adds another layer of authenticity to the world we inhabit in the movie.

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Washington, D.C.: For Julie Walters.

I am a big admirer of your work, and one of my favorite performances of yours was in "Intimate Relations," a truly fascinating and distrubing film. My question is: do you do much stage work, and do you have any plans to be on stage in the U.S. anytime soon?

Thank you.

Jeremy Brock: I know that Julie loves working on stage. I'm sure that one day soon she'll be out here. She has a novel being published in the UK in October and maybe the next time she'll be in the States will be to publicize her new career.

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Washington, D.C.: What was your inspiration for writing this film? Were you once an assistant to a retired actress?

Jeremy Brock: The movies that inspired me to make "Driving Lessons" were Lasse Hallstrom's "My Life as a Dog," "The Graduate" and Alexander Payne's "Sideways." These are the kinds of bittersweet movies that I love. And they are what I hope "Driving Lessons" will also be.

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Washington, D.C.: Do you think the movie will raise people's interests in acting?

Jeremy Brock: In as much as this movie is about character, it has to be about performance. Go and see the movie and enjoy wonderful acting by stars who are able to nuance all the different emotions that go to make the relationship between Ben and Evie so special and unique.

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Washington, D.C.: Any plans to stop working so hard on indie pictures and cash in in Hollywood and make really big, fairly awful movies?

And how do you (hopefully) resist the temptation?

Jeremy Brock: I have a wife and four kids who would not let me prostitute myself for something that would cause them too much embarassment. However, my wife might have something to say to me if I continue to make movies that put art above commerce!

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Jeremy Brock: Thank you everybody for your incredibly astute questions. Please go and see "Driving Lessons" and I hope you enjoy it as much as Julie and I enjoyed making it.

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