Customer Reviews

Last Chance Harvey

5 star:		(51)
4 star:		(48)
3 star:		(27)
2 star:		(8)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

By no means do I damn with faint praise when suggesting that this is a "small" film. Rather, only to suggest that it covers a brief period of time (a few days), in a single setting (London), focuses primarily on only two characters, and there few plot developments. Briefly, Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is employed by an advertising agency in Manhattan as a jingle writer when we are introduced to him. Almost immediately we sense that he is dissatisfied with both his career (he would prefer to earn a living as a jazz composer and performer) and with the current state of his life (he is divorced and apparently alienated from his adult daughter, Susan, who is about to be married in London). The title refers to both situations: Charley is advised by his boss Marvin (Richard Schiff who played the character Toby Ziegler on the television program, The West Wing) that his job is in jeopardy. After a very brief encounter upon arrival at Heathrow Airport with Kate Walker (Emma Thompson) seeking to obtain travel information from passengers, Harvey is saddened to learn from Susan (Liane Balaban) that she has decided that her stepfather Brian (James Brolin) will accompany her down the aisle. Of course, Harvey encounters Kate again and then....

The acting is outstanding. The setting is especially appropriate for what happens to a troubled New Yorker, among strangers in a strange city, at a time when he is running out of options in all areas of his life. Kate has concerns of her own but seems less troubled, probably because she fulfills at least some needs by comforting and reassuring her mother Maggie Walker (Eileen Atkins) who calls her constantly throughout the day (and evening), concerned about trivial matters. We know almost nothing else about Kate's private life, other than the absence of romance and few (if any) chances of finding it. She clearly does not wish to be hurt and is sensibly reluctant to become involved with anyone, even a stranger who is clearly unhappy, feels rejected, and in need of attention and kindness.

Five Star ratings of films should be reserved for "classics" and that is especially true of romantic comedies such as It Happened One Night, Little Shop Around the Corner, Sleepless in Seattle, and You've Got Mail. Last Chance Harvey is not in their class. However, I think Hoffman and Thompson are not only superb but have charming chemistry, the film is well-made, respectful of awkward adult situations with potentially serious consequences, and arrives at its happy ending with a pleasing plausibility.

I understand that most people that go to movies are in their early 20's and the movie makers knowing this,aim their films for that audience generally,but this is a wonderful surprise.

A charming story of people at an older age that have hit many dead ends in life but because of chance,they discover that life doesn't have to be done, there can be a future filled with the excitement that you might feel only lived in the past.

With the two great actors,Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson and a wonderful supporting cast,this is a very well made movie that I feel has the legs to stand up for viewings in the future and still have that same warmth and heart.

I think that some of the twenty somethings that might see this now and write it off as silly,could very well see this film in several years and view it very differently after they gain some of the experience and disappointments that life brings.

I really feel this could be viewed as a classic in the future,

For those looking for a fast-paced, ultra-modern, and formulaic romantic comedy feel free to run back to the bad acting, effects-laden Hollywood tripe so often produced for an unimaginative audience. If, however, you are looking for a thoughtful and surprisingly human story, then Last Chance Harvey deserves your attention. Rather than finding this movie slow and boring, my wife and I felt compelled to stay up past our bedtime because we simply couldn't fall asleep until it was over.

Yes, the movie moves at a walking pace--that's part of its charm! We should rediscover the skills of paying attention to a real story that does not require the aide of special effects and heart-pounding action. Simply put, the story itself is beautiful and wonderfully acted. Its true-to-life and a worthy addition to one's movie library if one has an eye for art rather than mere amusement.

No spoilers here (which I despise, and if the other reviewers were sincere, they'd warn you). If you want a typical romance, this isn't it. The writer of the film (and director) took some big risks with this movie. He didn't follow the standard plot and time lines. Instead, he let's the viewer really get to know these people, their character--who they are inside--and let's us follow them around a bit. And he breaks the rules a second time--he doesn't start off with a bunch of action, or drama--just some simple scenes, showing us the depth of these two people. Then he breaks the rules yet a third time--he gives these two characters CHARACTER. They are deep people, of sincerity who have been overlooked in their lives for that very reason. Much like any of us who just try to live our lives well. We don't often get acclaim for doing a good job and trying to be responsible. Then when these two meet--and the chemistry is awesome. (Really, we first get to see their chemistry in Stranger Than Fiction--which if you haven't seen, then do. In fact, it appears the writer might have seen them together in THAT film and plopped them down in this one. Whatever the reasoning for pairing up Emma Thompson and Dustin Hoffman, it WORKS).
This is a lovely movie, and each time I see it, I appreciate it more. It's a subtle movie, with an excellent story and deep characters who are very easy to identify with. And as all good romance movies do, you want to know more and wonder what happened next!

Very slow movie throughout. The plot revolves around a man, Harvey (Dustin Hoffman), a jingle writer. He is about to lose his job and has a difficult relationship with his daughter. He travels to London to attend his daughter's wedding and meets Kate (Emma Thompson) who works for an airline conducting research. They experienced an unexpected and lovely romance. The movie is indeed lovely but so darn slow! Although the acting was amazing; actually, it was phenomenal, I was still falling asleep. I can't help but wonder what this movie could have been in the hands of another, more dynamic director.

I especially like the featurette as it revealed a lot of interesting things about the movie. For example, I though the movie was based on a book. Actually, the screenplay was written especially for the actors Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

This movie is wonderful. I have to comment on some of the criticisms I have seen here--if you are looking for belly laughs and lousy computer generated effects,take your short attention span back to your x-box. This movie is a beautiful exercise in real story telling. These two seasoned actors bring incredible meaning and depth to a movie about real things that happen to people in real life. I was touched by the obvious and not so obvious messages in this story and feel it was, for me, a much awaited change from the fast-paced, meaningless bumblers Hollywood keeps ralphing out. Very well done--and thanks to Hoffman and Thompson for taking me along for the stroll. I needed the fresh air...

This is a GREAT movie! It reaffirms my faith in the 'film' industry - that not everything made into a 'flick' has no-bound sex, and every word in the revised Webster's Dictionary. The acting is superb and the plot does the actors justice. Really a Must for your DVD library!

This is truly a "Don't Miss"!

Warning - don't watch this film if you like 'all-action' movies as it certainly is not one of them. There is plenty going on but you need a brain (and a soul) to see it.

For once we have two actors who, despite their ability to portray the glamour of Hollywood, can nevertheless realistically play everyday people with doubts, fears and problems. The film shows that there is some sort of transformation for all of us and for these two how they have to shed the baggage of their pasts to face a better future.

Admittedly, there is no obvious compatibility between the great Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson; even having them both in the same scene is not easily comprehensible. C'est la vie.
The message, the story and Hoffman's performance are so great that even Thompson deserves a last chance.OK, enough with the sarcasm! It is a good movie, and even middle aged/out of work people can dream of a last chance. "Last chance Harvey" is a sweet movie that adds to Hoffman's victories and Thompson's history.

The script for this movie was kind of predictable but the acting was superb. I think it was really the actors who really made it as good as it was. Dustin Hoffman as Harvey and Emma Thompson as Kate were the perfect choices to play the couple. They were both very believable in their roles and their chemistry really worked. I thought Kathy Baker who played the part of Harvey's ex-wife also did an excellent job and was the perfect actress to play the part. I was rooting for them all the way through the movie.

I liked the fact that this was a love story about an older couple. Love stories about young people are a dime a dozen and it's nice to remember that falling in love has no age limit. They were just as sweet and romantic as any couple, in parts shy, in other parts showing the self assurance that comes with experience. It was the kind of script that made me really like the characters and empathize with them.

If you like romantic comedies this is one that you don't want to miss.