Last Chance Harvey

Dustin Hoffman stars as Harvey Shine – a jingle writer whose life is in turmoil. Harvey is facing trouble at work, and he is flying off to London for his daughter’s wedding, where he is barely welcome. While overseas, Harvey meets Kate (Emma Thompson) – a woman who works at the airport and spends most of her free time taking care of her ailing mother.

As Harvey is pushed further and further out of the picture at the wedding, and his job is about to be taken away, he strikes up a conversation with Kate, and decides she is what he should be focusing on, or he will regret it.

Will Harvey and Kate find true love?

Last Chance Harvey is a romantic comedy done well, but the movie should be focused more on the romance. Writer/director Joel Hopkins touches our hearts and hopes as we watch the two unlikely love birds start to see something special in each other, but he doesn’t have quite enough material to make an entire movie. The audience gets stuck with a subplot about the antics of Kate’s mother, which provides some levity and comic relief, but doesn’t fit in here, and the whole thing feels like it was injected into the movie to kill some time. Then, Hopkins goes for an overwrought twist towards the end that feels forced and out of place with the rest of what is a simple, but likeable story.

Most of all, Last Chance Harvey is a good movie because of Hoffman. He is fantastic as the guy who quietly simmers as he realizes the injustices he faces, acts like a goofy teenager as he becomes smitten with Kate, tries to cope as he doesn’t fit in with all of these people around him, and makes you feel all of the pain and exhilaration he faces during this magical and heartbreaking few days. He makes Harvey into a real character, not too smooth, not too cute, but one you can relate to.

Last Chance Harvey is a great movie for that day when you need a bit of comfort and love.

Last Chance Harvey is rated PG-13 for brief strong language.