The lowdown: 'Learners' is a 90-minute comedy-drama that was broadcast on BBC1 on 11 November 
2007. It was written by Jessica Hynes, who also stars as Beverley, a housewife who is desperate to get
her driver's licence so she can quit her job as a cleaner and start her own green cleaning business. Bev
has failed her driving test eight times, and so far as only been taught by her husband. A policeman at the
police station where Bev works gives her the name of the driving school that his girlfriend Fiona owns. 
Enter Chris (David Tennant), a driving instructor who promises that she will obtain her driver's licence. 
Chris has a crucifix hanging from his driving school car's rear-view mirror (which would probably be illegal
in Britain), and a Rock Smurf on the dashboard. Bev quickly takes a shine to Chris and tries to kiss him,
although her rejects her advances. Meanwhile, Chris has a crush on Fiona, and she is surprised to find
that she has feelings for him. Chris feels that he can no longer teach Bev and resigns, but Fiona begins
to realise just how much she misses him. There is of course a happy ending for all concerned - Bev gets
her driver's licence and starts her business, and Chris ends up with Fiona.

The verdict: 'Learners' is an entertaining telemovie that will please most fans of Tennant and Hynes,
who work well together (as they did in 'Human Nature' and 'Family of Blood'). In addition, Shaun Dingwall
features as Beverley's husband, Ian. However, the program would have worked better as either a two-hour
telemovie or a limited series (such as three one-hour episodes) in order to fully develop the characters.
It would have been interesting to have explored the backgrounds of the other learners instead of focusing
on Bev (although to be fair it is a Jessica Hynes vehicle - no pun intended). The blossoming friendship
between Chris and Bev is also rather predictable, and you know early on where it might go, although
fortunately Hynes as the writer choose to pursue the Chris-Fiona angle as the love interest rather than
Chris-Bev. Overall, 'Learners' is very good, although it falls short of being great television.

Quote:
Chris:  I swear, on this Rock Smurf, that you will pass your test.
Beverley:  Alright, so if I don't pass now, the smurf gets it.

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