Larry Crowne

As a movie, Larry Crowne is a great big blob of cinematic cotton candy - It's very sweet, it's kind of gooey and mushy at its center, and it has absolutely no nutritional value for the brain. And yet, I kind of liked it. There's a talented cast that breathes some life into the undeniably thin material, and they make it work. Plus, it's kind of nice to see a comedy that can be labeled as "for adults", and not have it be raunchy or crude. It's a sweet and charming little movie, and that was enough to win me over.

The film reunites Tom Hanks (who also co-wrote and directed the film) and Julia Roberts, who were last seen together in Charlie Wilson's War. This time, they're not tackling any weighty issues like war or behind the scenes drama in the government. They're just playing two middle aged people who feel like life as passed them by, and as they're brought together, they begin to realize there's hope for even them. Hanks plays the titular Crowne, an average guy working at a big-box store, whose main claim to fame is that he's set for a ninth-consecutive Employee of the Month award. When he's called in to meet with his bosses, he finds they're not planning to award him, but rather let him go. Tough times have led to downsizing for the company, and due to the fact that he does not have a college education (he went to the Navy and worked as a cook right after high school), Larry finds himself first on the employee chopping block. Divorced, severely in debt, and stuck with a house that is now worth less than his mortgage, Larry decides to simplify his life by trading in most of his old possessions (he sells his gas-guzzling vehicle, and buys a much more fuel efficient scooter bike), and also joins a local community college, hoping to turn his life around.

There, Larry is talked into taking a public speaking class, which is taught by Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), a woman who feels like her life has hit a dead end as well. She's trapped in a loveless marriage with a loser who sits at home all the time and looks at porn instead of looking for work, she's an alcoholic, and her class sizes are severely dwindling to the point that she's mainly talking to a small handful of students who would rather text on their cell phones than listen to her. I don't think I'm exactly diving into spoiler territory by revealing that eventually Larry and Mercedes connect both in and outside of the classroom, and before long, they're both inspiring each other to hope for better in their individual lives. It's also probably not that big of a surprise to state that Hanks and Roberts bring a lot of warm personality to their roles, and the chemistry when they are together is undeniable. What did surprise me about Larry Crowne were the supporting characters, who are quite likable in an honestly quirky (not exaggerated quirky) way.

The main stand out is relative newcomer Gugu Mbatha-Raw, who makes a charming and subtle impression as Talia, a young student at the college who befriends Larry, helps him open up and loosen up a bit, and convinces him to join her "gang" of scooter bike enthusiasts. The appeal of her performance is not just the personality she brings to the role, but also how natural she comes across, to the point that she does not really seem to be acting. Also strong is George Takei, hilarious here as the college's Economics professor, and comedian Cedric the Entertainer as Larry's next door neighbor, who seems to be running an eternal garage sale on his front lawn, and is always on hand to dispense advice when needed. Is the character of the neighbor realistic or necessary? No, not really. But, I liked him anyway, because many of the one liners he shares with Hanks are genuinely funny. That's the kind of movie this is - I knew I was being manipulated every step of the way, and I was constantly one step ahead of the characters, but for a refreshing change of pace, I didn't mind so much.

Despite its predictability, the film never really falls into the trap of creating idiotic or contrived crisis situations for the characters to get out of. In fact, the movie never really musters up any real complications for the characters to overcome. It's just a genial story about some very nice people, and how they try to better themselves. It's not exactly engaging or thrilling, but it works just enough here that I'm recommending it. Besides, the movie knows how to handle itself, and never pretends to be anything more than it actually is. It's light, it's breezy, and it's quickly paced to the point that it seems to be over in less than an hour, even though it actually runs about 100 minutes. In a summer full of bloated special effects blockbusters that stretch way past two hours and wear out their welcome, it's kind of nice to have a gentle little movie that knows what it is, and just how long to stay around without losing your attention.

I'm sure that there are many who will complain that Larry Crowne is largely plotless, and never really goes anywhere special. I certainly won't be able to argue with them. But, the movie ended up charming me regardless, and the cast knows how to sell this overly light material. I doubt I'll remember much about this movie a month from now, but I will remember I had fun while watching it.

See the movie times in your area or buy the DVD at Amazon.com!

0 comments