Title: Last Chance Harvey Director: Joel Hopkins Staring: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Studio: Overture Films Genre(s): Comedy Rated:       (For brief strong language)   Buy From Amazon.com: DVD / BluRay / Soundtrack / Soundtrack (MP3)

CONSUMER ADVICE

Parents, there are a few minor curse words in this film. Recommended for ages 8 and up.

After a decade of playing serious roles in films for Hollywood, Dustin Hoffman now has a shot of happiness in “Last Chance Harvey.” Though he doesn’t start off very happy as a jingle writer who has recently been fired from his job. His comfort is supposed to be from giving away his daughter at her wedding in London, but she drops the bombshell that she’s going to let her step father give her away. Crushed, Harvey walks away from the wedding where he meets Kate (Emma Thompson), a single woman in her late forties who is having her own happiness issues. She’s feels lonely, trapped in routine, and constantly hounded by her mother, who seems to be in the same boat as her. The two meet, have lunch, and spend a wonderful day together. Will love bloom though?

Well, that goes without saying, and if you think it’s not going to happen I guess you haven’t watched too many movies as of late. Hollywood loves to make romantic comedies like this: Lite, cheesy, and predictable. The only thing that can keep the gag reflex in during the film is the actors, and they don’t disappoint. Hoffman has gone from playing complicated lead characters to mostly playing supporting characters. His lead performance in this movie won’t likely go down as one of his best, but it certainly is a good example of how good an actor he is, able to sell this character and visually show his characters loneliness without making it a caricature. Thompson is also excellent in this film, playing the “plain love interest” to perfection. Kate is not an excuberantly beautiful babe, and doesn’t turn the heads of any men in this film, but when she allows the audience to get to know her personality we all fall instantly in love with her.

Being in a position where I myself have just lost a steady job and have no love interest to speak of, I must admit to falling under the movies spell. I don’t think I’m ever going to watch it again. I’m not even sure if I’ll be discussing the film two weeks from now. What I will say though is during a season of cynicism, hard luck, and jobless homes out there, it’s nice to get a movie that sees the silver lining at the end of the road. I know that may be a predictable response to a film that plays it as safe as can be, but that’s life for you.