Last Chance Harvey (2008)

Not that infamous Harvey, who doesn't merit a last chance at any rate, this is his fellow American, the amicable Harvey Shine (Hoffman, who ironically, has been mired in his own misconduct scandal in the MeToo era), a divorced, middle-aged musician specializes in writing jingles for commercial use, who plans to spend a weekend to attend his daughter's wedding in London, but ends up extending his stay indefinitely when romance beckons. Contemporaneously in London, Kate Walker (Thompson), an unmarried airport staff, is the cynosure of her mother Maggie's (Atkins) idle life (save for suspecting her new Polish neighbor is a corpse-hoarding killer), buffeted with the latter's unremitting phone calls, and just when Harvey comes in for a politely reserved reception in the dinner before the wedding, Kate is subjected to an awkward blind date that doesn't go anywhere, their binary trajectories are self-evident in verging together later (actually they had a short encounter in the airport and an odd chance as sequential passengers of a taxi), but before that comes to the fore, British director Joel Hopkins has something to flog to death.So, everything must plunge to the absolute nadir for Harvey before it bottoms out, he is wantonly secluded from the rest of the wedding guests, apparently under the behest of his ex-wife Jean (Baker), and is dwarfed by the latter's current hubby Brian (a none other than James Brolin, the silver fox and Mr. Barbra Steisand himself), both in appearance and in close affinity with his daughter Susan (Lapaine), who does have the temerity to ask Harvey to waive his fatherly right of leading her to the alter; across the Atlantic, his boss Marvin (Schiff) twists the knife in his wound by firing him on the phone when Harvey misses the plane after a low-key presence of Susan's wedding ceremony. If one can survive those aforementioned heavy-handed and cookie-cutter build-up, everything definitely lightens up from the chance meeting between Harvey and Kate in the airport bar with a quirky stiff-upper-lip mimicry as the icebreaker, whereupon, in the successful mode of Richard Linklater's BEFORE... trilogy, their growing interaction plays out through incessant but significantly less philosophical small talk, until Kate encourages and accompanies him to attend Susan's wedding reception in the evening, a fairly pleasant familial reconciliation is chalked up, but the next day, a hiccup nearly ruins their budding romance, and guess who has the say-so in the end? Both Hoffman and Thompson sustain their roles brilliantly with either a fish-out-of-water awkwardness meld with affable sincerity or a touching vulnerability that only hints at past baggage, and their niceties of vamping up even the hoariest happenstances pay dividends in this workmanlike love story for grow-ups who might look for a second chance or a fresh start.

Last Chance Harvey (2008): Dir: Joel Hopkins / Cast: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, James Brolin, Kathy Baker, Eileen Atkins: Charming romantic comedy about relationships. Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey who flies in to attend his daughter's wedding only to learn that she desires to be given away by her step-father. Central plot regards a friendship he strikes up with a woman who has equal problems with relationships. Predictable but satisfying directed by Joel Hopkins with a great deal of feeling and a touch of humour. Hoffman and Emma Thompson are on cue as a couple accepting last chances at love. Hoffman resents the fact that his daughter prefers her stepfather to him but his dilemma is sidetracked only with this new relationship. Third act works because of a meeting that doesn't occur and the reasoning and the resolution. Thompson is equally good in her quest for a reasonable relationship. Unfortunately supporting roles are not very broad or appealing, which feature James Brolin and Kathy Baker among others. They are secondary fillers playing forgettable roles of little importance. Well crafted film that gains much appeal through its leads but other roles from the daughter to the stepfather to the mother are all underwritten and cardboard. Strong theme where Harvey gains a last chance not just in love but also at being a father. Score: 8 / 10

Oscar winners Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson do a fantastic job in bringing ordinary people like Kate Walker, aspiring writer and poll taker at Heathrow Airport; and Harvey Shine, a musical composer. Harvey travels to London, England for his daughter's wedding. His ex-wife and mother is played by Kathy Baker. James Brolin played the perfect stepfather. Harvey and Kate are both awkward at the gatherings where they don't feel connected to the people there. Even in Harvey's case, he is obviously uncomfortable being alone and single. He had lost his job because he failed to make it back to New York City and takes interest in Kate sitting and reading a book nearby. Dustin and Emma are great and believable together as a couple. The supporting cast also includes Dame Eileen Atkins who played Kate's suspicious mother, Maggie, who thinks her Polish neighbor is keeping secrets in the shed. Still, Dustin and Emma have a mature chemistry where their characters connect in a more disconnecting world. It's an enjoyable feel good movie to watch repeatedly.

'Last Chance Harvey' is a decent film, in all respects. It tells it's story well and the performances, by Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson, are top-notch. 'Last Chance Harvey' focuses on two lonely people who tentatively forge a relationship over the course of three days.Joel Hopkins Screenplay is sweet & entertaining. Also, the subtle romance between the 2 protagonists, is infectious. Hopkins Direction, on the other-hand, is neat. Cinematography, Editing, Art Design & Background Score, are efficient. Performance-Wise: Hoffman & Thompson are top-notch. Also, they share a very infectious & lovable chemistry on-screen, from start to end. Eileen Atkins does well. Liane Balaban & Kathy Baker are passable. Other lend the required support.On the whole, 'Last Chance Harvey' is a decent watch.