"Last Chance Harvey"

Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker, Liane Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff

"Last Chance Harvey" shows two older people (Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson) who have resigned themselves into thinking that love has passed them by. What corroborates this premise in the film is the impending marriage of Harvey's daughter, Susan (Liane Balaban).

The story begins with Harvey heading to London to attend his only child's nuptials. There is trepidation for Harvey because he knows that he will be in the presence of his ex-wife (the enduring Kathy Baker) and her husband (the dashing James Brolin). It doesn't help that his daughter booked his hotel separate from the bridal party's accommodations in an effort to offset any ill will between her parents.

Harvey resigns himself to be "a good sport" mostly to please his daughter and does not cause any kind of uncomfortable social situation. It is here that Hoffman effortlessly shows his "sad sack" persona. He walks as if lost at the rehearsal dinner. His suit, though well-fitted, still has the price tag on it, and of course he is the only one dressed in white while every other male is in formal black.

The setting blaringly screams to Harvey that true love is for the young as evidenced in the eyes of his daughter and her impending groom. To add salt to his wounded life, Harvey gets a phone call that he has lost his job. Harvey decides to return home on the first flight immediately after the morning ceremony the next day.

As fate would have it, he cannot get a flight out and must sit at the airport lounge to await a ride back to the states where his solitary life can resume. As the story unfolds, we also glimpse the life of an airport employee, Kate Walker (Emma Thompson). She is the only caregiver to her aging mother. She has a good life, caring friends, yet feels wistfulness for something - perhaps for someone to partake in her life.

It is in the development of this relationship as the two lead characters meet at the airport lounge - she, reading a book to prepare for her class and he, wiling away the time until he can go home - that gives this film merit.

The pacing is at times slow and the dynamics, predictable. Yet the film does have a sweet hopefulness about it for anyone who may feel that love has passed them by. You never know, if there was a last chance for Harvey, there may be hope for anyone else who feels the same.

Chic Stars: Three Stars

Jan's Movie Rating System:
5 - Top-notch entertainment
4 - Compelling, heartwarming, thrilling, comical
3 - The a) story b) actors c) special effects saved/made this movie.
2 - If you are bored, watch it, or wait for DVD
1 - Don't bother. Too morose, too violent, too blasè, an enigma.

Jan James Stetter
		About the author:
		Jan James Stetter is the "Media Maven" for Cincy Chic. A Cincinnati native, Jan resides in the side of town that bore LaRosa’s pizzas and Skyline chili. Stetter is a discerning film critic letting readers know what is hot and what is not at the box office. She welcomes input and feedback from her audience, so e-mail her at jstetter@cincychic.com.
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Last update: 13-04-2009 22:06

Published in : Magazine Items, Social