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Johnny Depp has become, in his young middle age, like a star of the movies’ golden period
Potter star in the driving seat
By Valentine Low & Alistair Foster, Evening Standard 05.09.06
Julie Walters and Rupert Grint in Driving Lessons
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The first time he got behind the wheel of a car it ended in disaster. Mind you, as the car was a flying one, the passenger Harry Potter and the destination Hogwarts School, perhaps that was not entirely unexpected.
Now - and not a moment too soon - Rupert Grint, who plays Harry Potter's friend Ron Weasley, is having driving lessons - in real life and in the movies.
He stars in Driving Lessons opposite Julie Walters, which had its premiere in Mayfair last night. Among the audience was Harry Potter costar Emma Watson.
Fortunately for Grint, the film looks as if it will be rather more successful than the 18-year-old's attempts to learn to drive a car. He recently revealed he had to have 60 driving lessons before taking his driving test last month - and then failing. Asked how he was progressing, he said: "Not that well. I've had a few more so I suppose I'm pretty much ready for my next test."
Walters, a two-time Oscar nominee, said of her co-star: "I love Rupert - he is just lovely. He has definitely got a great career ahead of him and is capable of Oscar success."
