In “Learning To Drive,” the student and the driving instructor have much to learn from one another about life and relationships, all while riding through the streets of New York City (with a brief trip to Queens).

Patricia Clarkson portrays Wendy, a literary agent, who meets her future driving instructor, Darwan S. Tur, played by Ben Kingsley, when she and her husband Ted (Jake Weber) get into his cab the night Ted has told Wendy he is leaving her.

The couple are involved in a heated argument as they climb into Darwan's cab — yelling and crying escalate into Wendy hitting Ted as she cries. The emotions intensify when Darwan recognizes Ted and asks him if he is going to such and such address. Yep, the mistress’ place. Ted demands that Darwan pull the cab to the curb. He pays for Wendy's fare back to their place and he leaves.

When Darwan returns to the cab company at the end of his shift, he discovers that Wendy has left a package in the back seat.

Ted and Wendy's daughter, Tasha, played by yet another of Meryl Streep's daughters, Grace Gummer, comes to the city to see her mom the next day. Tasha has been living in Vermont, farming, and is as enamored with the fresh air and the dirt (“I want to eat it,” she tells Wendy) as she is with her boyfriend. Tasha wants her mother to visit her in Vermont, get away for awhile, get out of the house. Wendy reminds Tasha that she doesn't drive; her ex is the driver in the house and he will come back.

Wendy says they've been married for 21 years, and every seven years, Ted goes through something, but always comes back.

“We're on the third seven-year itch,” Wendy says.

That's when Tasha tells her mother that Ted isn't coming back. That, in fact, he had filed separation papers the day before. Although she's adversely impressed by Ted's using Tasha as his messenger, she suggests the two of them have dinner that night. Except, Tasha already has plans to dine with her father. Wendy, hurt and angry, tells Tasha to leave.

After putting away a couple bottles of red, an inebriated Wendy answers her doorbell — only to discover the cab driver standing there.

He gives her the package and refuses Wendy's attempt to give him a monetary reward of sorts. She asks why. He tells her he just likes to help.

“You like to help?” Wendy says. “You can't be from New York.”

“But I am,” Darwan replies. “I'm from Queens.”

“That's not really New York,” says Wendy.

As he walks back to his car, Wendy manages to see his student driving sign on the roof. She asks for his card. Later, she calls Tasha and leaves an apology message — and informs her daughter of her intention to learn to drive.

“Then I'm going to buy a new car and drive to Vermont to see you and we can eat dirt together,” says Wendy.

Darwan has been in America for 13 years. His sister has sent her son, Preet (Avi Nash) to live with his uncle. Darwan also has several other men from his native India living in his basement apartment. The trouble is, none of them have papers, and ICE (Immigrations and Customs Enforcement) is aware of this (we aren't told how) and teams often come by to do a “sweep” during which Preet hides in the cabinet under the kitchen sink.

Darwan's sister is also arranging a marriage for him.

Darwan, a Sikh, holds fast to his culture. In Punjab he was a university professor. But when Indira Gandhi was assassinated by Sikh bodyguards, Darwan's family was arrested, some tortured, and he was put in prison for many years. He tells Wendy he can never go back.

Lots of drama in both of their lives — drama that Darwan tells her cannot be brought into the car.

“In here (the car) you must shut all of it out.”

Fortunately for the audience, the “world” does pass through the driver's ed car, coming and going like the wind. The two develop a rapport as they reveal bits of their life stories, and seek advice from one another.

Clarkson and Kingsley are gifted actors and deliver well defined, developed characters with whom you will want to get to know even better. Gummer and Sarita Choudhury (Jasleen, Darwan's bride) are solid supporting characters learning lessons of their own.

The film, written by Sarah Kernochen and directed by Isabel Coixet, flows from scene to scene beautifully. The story is complemented by a wonderful soundtrack thanks to the musical talents of Dhani Harrison (yes, George's son) and Paul Hicks.

“Learning To Drive” plays at The Harbor Theatre Friday, Oct. 16 through Sunday, Oct. 18, Wednesday, Oct. 21 and Thursday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m.; and a 2 p.m. matinee will be shown on Sunday.