Saturday, January 24, 2009

MOVIE: Last Chance Harvey

Rating: Depressing first half, Sweet second half
Viewed: Thurs. Jan 22, 2009
El Con with Sheila
Rotten Tomato Rating: 71%
Mine: 60%
EW: B- cag: B
Romantic Drama
Released 12/25/08
PG-13 (1 hr. 32 min.)
Directed by: Joel Hopkins
Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson (what a great actress!)

Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey Shine, a has-been jingle writer on the brink of losing his job. He flies to London to attend the wedding of his only daughter, who tells him she wants her stepfather to give her away. Harvey is feeling alone, alienated, and bewildered. It's at this point that he meets the Emma Thompson character, also lonely and trying to deal with her clingy mother. The movie takes off from there. I suppose you needed the first half to set up the story, the premise, the meeting, and the relationship - but it was very sad and depressing.

What shines through is Emma Thompson's excellent acting, Dustin Hoffman's smile, and Harvie Shine's sense of humor. The second was fun. The movie included some funny parts, some poignant places, and a happy ending. I wonder if there's a Harvey Shine out there for me?

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