Larry Crowne

UK Release: 1st July 2011

Watched on LoveFilm Instant: Monday 29th October 2012

Rating: 12A

Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Runtime: 1hr 38mins

IMDb Plot Synopsis: Until he was downsized, affable, amiable Larry Crowne (Hanks) was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he's worked since his time in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, Larry heads to his local college to start over. There he becomes part of a colorful community of outcasts, also-rans and the overlooked all trying to find a better future for themselves...often moving around town in a herd of scooters. In his public-speaking class, Larry develops an unexpected crush on his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), who has lost as much passion for teaching as she has for her husband. The simple guy who has every reason to think his life has stalled will come to learn an unexpected lesson: when you think everything worth having has passed you by, you just might discover your reason to live.

My Review: I was expecting a nice feel-good movie, and while that’s exactly what this film is it also has a bit of heart, thanks mainly to Tom Hanks. However it didn’t quite hit the nail on the feel-good head. It was enjoyable enough but there wasn’t anything particuarly surprising or unpredictable unfortunately. 

So while the Tom Hanks’ character’s attitude is lovely and all (too good to be true though my cynical brain is telling me) and everything the plot of the film is far from inspirational. 

Larry Crowne is funny and sweet but wrapped up far too nicely to have any realistic resonance for the audience. I hate to say it but it’s really only feel-good fluff.

Score: 7/10