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{{short description|1988 film}}
{{short description|1988 film by Greg Beeman}}
{{For|the document permitting one to drive|Driver's license}}
{{For|the document permitting one to drive|Driver's license}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2020}}
Line 37: Line 37:
}}
}}


'''''License to Drive''''' is a 1988 American [[Teen film|teen]] [[comedy film]] written by [[Neil Tolkin]] and directed by [[Greg Beeman]] in his [[List of directorial debuts|feature film directorial debut]]. It stars [[Corey Haim]], [[Corey Feldman]], [[Heather Graham]], [[Carol Kane]], [[Richard Masur]], [[Michael Manasseri]], and [[Nina Siemaszko]].
'''''License to Drive''''' is a 1988 American [[Teen film|teen]] [[comedy film]] written by [[Neil Tolkin]] and directed by [[Greg Beeman]] in his [[List of directorial debuts|feature film directorial debut]]. It stars [[Corey Haim]], [[Corey Feldman]], [[Heather Graham]], and [[Carol Kane]].

The film was in production in late 1987. It was released on July 6, 1988, in the United States and grossed over $20 million at the North American box office. It was distributed by [[20th Century Fox]].
The film was in production in late 1987. It was released on July 6, 1988, in the United States and grossed over $20 million at the North American box office. It was distributed by [[20th Century Fox]].


==Plot==
==Plot==
Southern California teenager Les Anderson tries to get his [[driver's license]] in order to impress his crush, beautiful Mercedes Lane. He fails the knowledge portion of the exam, but inadvertently causes a computer surge.
Southern California teenager Les Anderson tries to get his [[driver's license]] to impress his crush, beautiful Mercedes Lane. He fails the knowledge portion of the exam but inadvertently causes a computer surge.


Les' failing marks are thought to be irretrievable, but the Department of Motor Vehicles lets him pass the exam after comparing him to his twin sister's high marks. He eventually passes the road test, but his real test scores are finally retrieved and his license is revoked.
Les' failing marks are thought to be irretrievable, but the Department of Motor Vehicles lets him pass the exam after comparing him to his twin sister's high marks. He eventually passes the road test, but his real test scores are finally retrieved and his license is revoked.


Les tries concealing the truth from his parents, but his mother finds out the truth and his father grounds him for two weeks. Les made plans to drive his grandfather's prized 1972 [[Cadillac Sedan de Ville]] prior and decides to sneak away anyway for a joyride with Mercedes.
Les tries concealing the truth from his parents, but his mother finds out the truth and his father grounds him for two weeks. Les had previously made plans to drive his grandfather's prized 1972 [[Cadillac Sedan de Ville]] and decides to sneak away anyway for a joyride with Mercedes.


Mercedes gets drunk and then she and Les accidentally cave in the hood of the car after dancing on it. She passes out; Les panics and goes to his best friend Dean's house to have him fix the dent in the car's hood.
Mercedes gets drunk and then she and Les accidentally cave in the hood of the car after dancing on it. She passes out; Les panics and goes to his best friend Dean's house to have him fix the dent in the car's hood.
Line 52: Line 51:
Dean persuades Les to continue the joyride along with their friend Charles, but are unaware Les still does not have his license. The three put Mercedes in the trunk of the car and continue their night on the town, causing even more damage to the Cadillac. Meanwhile, Mrs. Anderson wakes up her husband late in the night announcing she is in labor.
Dean persuades Les to continue the joyride along with their friend Charles, but are unaware Les still does not have his license. The three put Mercedes in the trunk of the car and continue their night on the town, causing even more damage to the Cadillac. Meanwhile, Mrs. Anderson wakes up her husband late in the night announcing she is in labor.


The next day, Les drops off Charles and Dean at their homes. Mercedes wakes up and believes that the night prior was a dream. Les drops her off at her house where they share a kiss. Les gets in trouble with his father Robert after returning home with the damaged Cadillac.
The next day, Les drops off Charles and Dean at their homes. Mercedes wakes up and believes that the night prior was a dream. Les drops her off at her house where they share a kiss. Les gets in trouble with his father Robert after returning home with the damaged Cadillac.


Mrs. Anderson is still in labor, but since the car's transmission will not shift into drive he is forced to drive his family to the hospital in reverse. She is taken into the hospital but a crane fails outside and a falling steel girder crushes the Cadillac, much to the shock of Les and Robert.
Mrs. Anderson is still in labor, but since the car's transmission will not shift into drive Les is forced to drive his family to the hospital in reverse. She is taken into the hospital but a crane fails outside and a falling steel girder crushes the Cadillac, much to the shock of Les and Robert.


The family tries to explain the state of the Cadillac to Les' grandfather, but Grandpa laughs it off as he reveals he has severely damaged his son's own [[BMW]] in an accident. Robert gives the BMW to Les and jokingly tells him to take good care of it.
Sometime later, Mrs. Anderson gives birth to twin babies, and the family tries to explain the state of the Cadillac to Les' grandfather, but Grandpa laughs it off as he reveals he has severely damaged his son's own [[BMW]] in an accident. Robert gives the BMW to Les and jokingly tells him to take good care of it.


Although Les thanks his father, he has changed his mind and doesn't want it anymore. Mercedes pulls up in a white [[Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet]] and picks up Les, who gets in the driver's seat and drives away with her.
Although Les thanks his father, he has changed his mind and doesn't want it anymore. Mercedes pulls up in a white [[Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet]] and picks up Les. He gets in her car and drives away.


==Cast==
==Cast==
Line 72: Line 71:
* Michael A. Nickles as Paolo
* Michael A. Nickles as Paolo
* [[Nina Siemaszko]] as Natalie Anderson
* [[Nina Siemaszko]] as Natalie Anderson
* [[James Avery (actor)|James Avery]] as Les' DMV Examiner
* [[James Avery (actor)|James Avery]] as Les's DMV Examiner
* [[Grant Goodeve]] as Natalie's DMV Examiner
* [[Grant Goodeve]] as Natalie's DMV Examiner
* [[Grant Heslov]] as Karl
* [[Grant Heslov]] as Karl
Line 82: Line 81:
}}
}}


==Release==
==Reception==
===Box office===
It earned $22,433,275 at the North American box office,<ref>{{cite web |title = License to Drive (1988) |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=licensetodrive.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date = March 3, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003032611/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=licensetodrive.htm |archive-date = October 3, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> against a production budget of $8 million.
It earned $22,433,275 at the North American box office,<ref>{{cite web |title = License to Drive (1988) |url = https://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=licensetodrive.htm |work = [[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher = [[Internet Movie Database]] |access-date = March 3, 2011 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20111003032611/http://boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=licensetodrive.htm |archive-date = October 3, 2011 |url-status = live }}</ref> against a production budget of $8 million.


===Critical response===
==Reception==
''License to Drive'' was not well-received by critics. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it has a {{RT data|score}} approval rating based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}. On [[Metacritic]], the film had an average score of 36 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "Generally unfavorable reviews."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/license-to-drive|title=License to Drive (1988): Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref> ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film two and a half out of four stars and described the film as "more-than-passable summer entertainment, especially when it identifies with the yearnings of its young heroes to get behind the wheel." He said the first half of the film was "very funny" but the second half was "much more predictable".<ref>{{cite news|title=License To Drive review |first=Roger |last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19880706/REVIEWS/807060301/1023 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 6, 1988 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605164737/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19880706/REVIEWS/807060301/1023 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
''License to Drive'' received generally negative reviews from critics. On [[Rotten Tomatoes]], it has a {{RT data|score}} approval rating based on {{RT data|count}} reviews, with an average score of {{RT data|average}}. The site's critics consensus reads, "Despite a hard-working cast and a premise that will appeal to its teenage target demographic, this deeply silly comedy only has a ''License to Drive'' audiences to seek out better films."<ref>{{cite web |title=License to Drive (1988) - Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/license_to_drive |website=RottenTomatoes.com |access-date=5 December 2022}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film had an average score of 36 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/license-to-drive|title=License to Drive (1988): Reviews|work=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=21 March 2020}}</ref> ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' critic [[Roger Ebert]] gave the film two and a half out of four stars and described the film as "more-than-passable summer entertainment, especially when it identifies with the yearnings of its young heroes to get behind the wheel." He said the first half of the film was "very funny" but the second half was "much more predictable".<ref>{{cite news|title=License To Drive review |first=Roger |last=Ebert |author-link=Roger Ebert |url=http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19880706/REVIEWS/807060301/1023 |newspaper=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] |date=July 6, 1988 |access-date=March 3, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605164737/http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/19880706/REVIEWS/807060301/1023 |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==Music==
==Music==
Line 104: Line 104:
Songs played in the film, but not on the soundtrack
Songs played in the film, but not on the soundtrack
# "[[Mercedes Boy]]" by [[Perri "Pebbles" Reid|Pebbles]] – 3:54 (single remix)
# "[[Mercedes Boy]]" by [[Perri "Pebbles" Reid|Pebbles]] – 3:54 (single remix)
# "[[Rush Hour (song)|Rush Hour]]" by [[Jane Wiedlin]] – 4:03
# "[[Rush Hour (Jane Wiedlin song)|Rush Hour]]" by [[Jane Wiedlin]] – 4:03
# "[[Strangers in the Night]]" by [[Frank Sinatra]]
# "[[Strangers in the Night]]" by [[Frank Sinatra]]
# "[[That's Life (song)|That's Life]]" by Frank Sinatra
# "[[That's Life (song)|That's Life]]" by Frank Sinatra
Line 111: Line 111:


==Home media==
==Home media==
''License to Drive'' was first released on VHS by CBS/Fox Video in late 1988. It was notable that some VHS versions of the film replaced the Nia Peeples song "Trouble" with "[[New Sensation]]" by [[INXS]].
''License to Drive'' was first released on VHS by [[CBS/Fox Video]] on December 15, 1988.<ref>{{cite magazine|magazine=[[Premiere (magazine)|Premiere]]|date=December 1988|page=23|title=Corey Haim and Corey Feldman are revving up for action and laughter! (advertisement)}}</ref> It was notable that some VHS versions of the film replaced the Nia Peeples song "Trouble" with "[[New Sensation]]" by [[INXS]].


A special edition [[DVD]] was distributed by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] in the United States on May 3, 2005. Special features included interviews with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, audio commentary with Greg Beeman and Neil Tolkin, deleted scenes, TV spots, theatrical trailers, and the film's screenplay (DVD-ROM).
A special edition [[DVD]] was distributed by [[Anchor Bay Entertainment]] in the United States on May 3, 2005. Special features included interviews with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, audio commentary with Greg Beeman and Neil Tolkin, deleted scenes, TV spots, theatrical trailers, and the film's screenplay (DVD-ROM).
Line 118: Line 118:


==Unmade sequel and trilogy==
==Unmade sequel and trilogy==
In an interview on ''[[Larry King Live]]'', on March 10, 2010, the day of Corey Haim's death, Corey Feldman revealed that he and Haim had been developing a sequel, titled ''License to Fly'', an idea initiated by Haim. Feldman also stated that there were tentative plans for a trilogy, with a third installment called ''License to Dive.''<ref>{{cite news|title=Corey Feldman Tells Larry King About Corey Haim's Final Days|first=Josh|last=Wigler|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633661/corey-feldman-tells-larry-king-about-corey-haims-final-days.jhtml|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=March 10, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412063955/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633661/corey-feldman-tells-larry-king-about-corey-haims-final-days.jhtml|archive-date=April 12, 2011|url-status=live}}</ref>
In an interview on ''[[Larry King Live]]'', on March 10, 2010, the day of Corey Haim's death, Corey Feldman revealed that he and Haim had been developing a sequel, titled ''License to Fly'', an idea initiated by Haim. Feldman also stated that there were tentative plans for a trilogy, with a third installment called ''License to Dive.''<ref>{{cite news|title=Corey Feldman Tells Larry King About Corey Haim's Final Days|first=Josh|last=Wigler|url=http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633661/corey-feldman-tells-larry-king-about-corey-haims-final-days.jhtml|work=[[MTV News]]|publisher=[[MTV]]|date=March 10, 2010|access-date=March 3, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110412063955/http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1633661/corey-feldman-tells-larry-king-about-corey-haims-final-days.jhtml|archive-date=April 12, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>


==Reboot==
==Reboot==
Fox studios and Davis Entertainment are developing a female-driven reboot based on the film.<ref>{{cite news|title='License To Drive': Female-Driven Reboot Hits The Road With Fox And John Davis|first=Anita|last=Busch|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/license-to-drive-movie-remake-female-leads-producer-john-davis-1202144226/|publisher=[[Deadline (magazine)|Deadline]]|date=August 15, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420003257/https://deadline.com/2017/08/license-to-drive-movie-remake-female-leads-producer-john-davis-1202144226/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= 'License to Drive' Remake in the Works at Fox |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/license-drive-remake-works-at-fox-1029786 |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200421020756/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/license-drive-remake-works-at-fox-1029786 |archive-date= 2020-04-21 |access-date= 2020-04-17 |url-status= live }}</ref>
As of 2017, Fox Studios and Davis Entertainment were developing a female-driven reboot based on the film.<ref>{{cite news|title='License To Drive': Female-Driven Reboot Hits The Road With Fox And John Davis|first=Anita|last=Busch|url=https://deadline.com/2017/08/license-to-drive-movie-remake-female-leads-producer-john-davis-1202144226/|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|date=August 15, 2017|access-date=April 17, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200420003257/https://deadline.com/2017/08/license-to-drive-movie-remake-female-leads-producer-john-davis-1202144226/|archive-date=April 20, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title= 'License to Drive' Remake in the Works at Fox |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/license-drive-remake-works-at-fox-1029786 |website= [[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date= August 15, 2017 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20200421020756/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/license-drive-remake-works-at-fox-1029786 |archive-date= 2020-04-21 |access-date= 2020-04-17 |url-status= live }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 131: Line 131:
==External links==
==External links==
* {{IMDb title|0095519|License to Drive}}
* {{IMDb title|0095519|License to Drive}}
* {{AllMovie movie|29158|License to Drive}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|license_to_drive}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes|license_to_drive}}


Latest revision as of 01:12, 22 December 2024

For the document permitting one to drive, see Driver's license.

License to Drive
Theatrical release poster
Directed byGreg Beeman
Written byNeil Tolkin
Produced by
  • Jeffrey A. Mueller
  • Andrew Licht
Starring
CinematographyBruce Surtees
Edited by
Music byJay Ferguson
Production
company
Distributed by20th Century Fox
Release date
  • July 6, 1988 (1988-07-06) (United States)
Running time
88 minutes
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish
Budget$8 million
Box office$22.4 million (United States)

License to Drive is a 1988 American teen comedy film written by Neil Tolkin and directed by Greg Beeman in his feature film directorial debut. It stars Corey Haim, Corey Feldman, Heather Graham, and Carol Kane. The film was in production in late 1987. It was released on July 6, 1988, in the United States and grossed over $20 million at the North American box office. It was distributed by 20th Century Fox.

Plot

[edit]

Southern California teenager Les Anderson tries to get his driver's license to impress his crush, beautiful Mercedes Lane. He fails the knowledge portion of the exam but inadvertently causes a computer surge.

Les' failing marks are thought to be irretrievable, but the Department of Motor Vehicles lets him pass the exam after comparing him to his twin sister's high marks. He eventually passes the road test, but his real test scores are finally retrieved and his license is revoked.

Les tries concealing the truth from his parents, but his mother finds out the truth and his father grounds him for two weeks. Les had previously made plans to drive his grandfather's prized 1972 Cadillac Sedan de Ville and decides to sneak away anyway for a joyride with Mercedes.

Mercedes gets drunk and then she and Les accidentally cave in the hood of the car after dancing on it. She passes out; Les panics and goes to his best friend Dean's house to have him fix the dent in the car's hood.

Dean persuades Les to continue the joyride along with their friend Charles, but are unaware Les still does not have his license. The three put Mercedes in the trunk of the car and continue their night on the town, causing even more damage to the Cadillac. Meanwhile, Mrs. Anderson wakes up her husband late in the night announcing she is in labor.

The next day, Les drops off Charles and Dean at their homes. Mercedes wakes up and believes that the night prior was a dream. Les drops her off at her house where they share a kiss. Les gets in trouble with his father Robert after returning home with the damaged Cadillac.

Mrs. Anderson is still in labor, but since the car's transmission will not shift into drive Les is forced to drive his family to the hospital in reverse. She is taken into the hospital but a crane fails outside and a falling steel girder crushes the Cadillac, much to the shock of Les and Robert.

Sometime later, Mrs. Anderson gives birth to twin babies, and the family tries to explain the state of the Cadillac to Les' grandfather, but Grandpa laughs it off as he reveals he has severely damaged his son's own BMW in an accident. Robert gives the BMW to Les and jokingly tells him to take good care of it.

Although Les thanks his father, he has changed his mind and doesn't want it anymore. Mercedes pulls up in a white Volkswagen Golf Cabriolet and picks up Les. He gets in her car and drives away.

Cast

[edit]

Reception

[edit]

Box office

[edit]

It earned $22,433,275 at the North American box office,[1] against a production budget of $8 million.

Critical response

[edit]

License to Drive received generally negative reviews from critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a 24% approval rating based on 25 reviews, with an average score of 4/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Despite a hard-working cast and a premise that will appeal to its teenage target demographic, this deeply silly comedy only has a License to Drive audiences to seek out better films."[2] On Metacritic, the film had an average score of 36 out of 100 based on 9 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[3] Chicago Sun-Times critic Roger Ebert gave the film two and a half out of four stars and described the film as "more-than-passable summer entertainment, especially when it identifies with the yearnings of its young heroes to get behind the wheel." He said the first half of the film was "very funny" but the second half was "much more predictable".[4]

Music

[edit]
Track listing
  1. "Drive My Car" by Breakfast Club – 3:13
  2. "Sweet Surrender" by Brenda K. Starr – 4:50
  3. "I Feel Free" (extended version) by Belinda Carlisle – 6:55
  4. "Time Starts Now" by Boys Club – 4:28
  5. "Get Outta My Dreams, Get into My Car" by Billy Ocean – 4:43
  6. "Crucial" by New Edition – 4:30
  7. "One More Dance" by Jonathan Butler – 4:32
  8. "Jazzy's in the House" by DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince – 2:55
  9. "Touch and Go" by Femme Fatale – 3:57
  10. "Make Some Noise" by Slave Raider – 3:28

Songs played in the film, but not on the soundtrack

  1. "Mercedes Boy" by Pebbles – 3:54 (single remix)
  2. "Rush Hour" by Jane Wiedlin – 4:03
  3. "Strangers in the Night" by Frank Sinatra
  4. "That's Life" by Frank Sinatra
  5. "Waiting for the Big One" by Femme Fatale
  6. "Trouble" by Nia Peeples

Home media

[edit]

License to Drive was first released on VHS by CBS/Fox Video on December 15, 1988.[5] It was notable that some VHS versions of the film replaced the Nia Peeples song "Trouble" with "New Sensation" by INXS.

A special edition DVD was distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment in the United States on May 3, 2005. Special features included interviews with Corey Haim and Corey Feldman, audio commentary with Greg Beeman and Neil Tolkin, deleted scenes, TV spots, theatrical trailers, and the film's screenplay (DVD-ROM).

On January 17, 2012, Anchor Bay released the film on Blu-ray.

Unmade sequel and trilogy

[edit]

In an interview on Larry King Live, on March 10, 2010, the day of Corey Haim's death, Corey Feldman revealed that he and Haim had been developing a sequel, titled License to Fly, an idea initiated by Haim. Feldman also stated that there were tentative plans for a trilogy, with a third installment called License to Dive.[6]

Reboot

[edit]

As of 2017, Fox Studios and Davis Entertainment were developing a female-driven reboot based on the film.[7][8]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "License to Drive (1988)". Box Office Mojo. Internet Movie Database. Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  2. ^ "License to Drive (1988) - Rotten Tomatoes". RottenTomatoes.com. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  3. ^ "License to Drive (1988): Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  4. ^ Ebert, Roger (July 6, 1988). "License To Drive review". Chicago Sun-Times. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  5. ^ "Corey Haim and Corey Feldman are revving up for action and laughter! (advertisement)". Premiere. December 1988. p. 23.
  6. ^ Wigler, Josh (March 10, 2010). "Corey Feldman Tells Larry King About Corey Haim's Final Days". MTV News. MTV. Archived from the original on April 12, 2011. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
  7. ^ Busch, Anita (August 15, 2017). "'License To Drive': Female-Driven Reboot Hits The Road With Fox And John Davis". Deadline. Archived from the original on April 20, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
  8. ^ "'License to Drive' Remake in the Works at Fox". The Hollywood Reporter. August 15, 2017. Archived from the original on April 21, 2020. Retrieved April 17, 2020.
[edit]
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