Potter’s pal gets behind the wheel

“Harry Potter” star Daniel Radcliffe has received critical acclaim for his appearance on the London stage in the revival of Peter Shaffer’s drama “Equus” and was a hoot as a sendup of himself on an episode of HBO’s “Extras.” But his pal Rupert Grint, the lanky redhead who plays Ron Weasley in the “Potter” films, hasn’t had such success in his non-wizarding roles.

In the nostalgic drama “Driving Lessons” (Sony, $25), which arrives today on DVD, Grint plays the geeky 17-year-old son of a vicar and his domineering wife (Laura Linney) who goes to work for an eccentric has-been actress (Julie Walters, who plays his mom in the “Potter” franchise). Along the way, Grint’s poetry-writing teen not only learns to drive a car but also loses his virginity to an older woman.

The film received mixed reviews and made a pittance at the U.S. box office -- about $240,000. Extras include a standard production featurette, deleted scenes and an unfunny gag reel.

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“Chancer: Series 1” (Acorn, $60): With his good looks, commanding voice and performances in such films as “Croupier,” “Children of Men” and “Closer,” for which he received a Golden Globe award and an Oscar nomination, British actor Clive Owen has become one of cinema’s top leading men.

Like many films actors, Owen got his start on television. And “Chancer,” produced in 1990-91, was his first major series. “Chancer” cast the then-25-year-old Owen as Stephen Crane, a charismatic con man and rogue who becomes the savior of a struggling sports car company. Owen has aged like a fine wine, and his star quality shines through in this compelling drama series. Jan Hammer of “Miami Vice” fame penned the music.

“Puccini for Beginners” (Strand, $28): Maria Maggenti (“The Incredibly True Adventures of Two Girls in Love”) directed this romantic comedy about a New York writer (Elizabeth Reaser) who, upon breaking up with her girlfriend (Julianne Nicholson), rebounds with a philosophy professor (Justin Kirk) and a newly single woman (Gretchen Moll).

“Jam” (Starz, $27): Winner of the Independent Spirit Award at the Santa Fe Film Festival, this ensemble drama from 2006 revolves around a car crash on a rural interstate on Father’s Day that changes the lives of travelers waiting for help. Jeffrey Dean Morgan of “Grey’s Anatomy,” Tess Harper, Gina Torres and Jonathan Silverman star. Extras include a rather threadbare production featurette and commentary from director Craig Serling, among others.

“Our Very Own” (Miramax, $30): Nice little coming-of-age drama from 2005 about a group of teenage friends living in Shelbyville, Tenn., who are thrilled when they learn hometown-girl-turned-Hollywood-star Sondra Locke may be coming home.

Winner of the Bluegrass Independent Film Festival Grand Prize for Best Feature Film and the Rome International Film Festival’s Special Jury Prize, “Our Very Own” stars Jason Ritter, Allison Janney, Keith Carradine and Cheryl Hines. Look for Mary Badham, who played Scout in “To Kill a Mockingbird,” in a cameo.

“Neverwas” (Miramax, $30): Even a first-rate cast including Aaron Eckhart, Ian McKellen, Nick Nolte, Alan Cumming, Jessica Lange and William Hurt can’t save this misguided 2005 drama.

Eckhart plays a troubled psychiatrist who leaves a promising academic career for a position at a mental institution where his father (Nolte) had been a patient before writing a famous children’s book.

susan.king@latimes.com