Larry Crowne

source: Larry Crowne

This movie was poorly written and poorly acted. There was no chemistry between Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. While Tom Hanks' character was a "nice guy," it is highly unlikely that a snobby college professor would fall for someone with so little education -- even a lush like Julie Roberts' character. And although Julia Roberts was occasionally attractive those few times she was sober, it's hard to believe that Larry Crowne, who was supposed to be an admirable character, would chase such a depressed, loutish, stuck-up person, especially knowing that she's married. And there is a young girl who decides to intervene in Larry Crowne's life and help him that is even more unbelievable. This film was just ridiculous. Luckily I got it free from my local library. It still wasn't worth the time and energy it took to put it into my DVD player.

People love it or hate it, it seems. Probably not among Hanks' classics, but I was downsized at the age of 51 a week before this movie came out. Needless to say, it was an emotional experience. A year and change later, I have the best job I've ever had. I watched it again, and the experience was still emotional, but this time it was triumph screaming in my soul instead of poignancy and worry. Sue me, I loved it. (addendum) God, is my review really too short to be submitted? Is brevity something to be penalized? I know a lot of people, and believe me, most of them err on the side of yakking too much. And here you are telling me my review must be lengthened. Geez. :-/

SPOILERS************************(Even though there is nothing to spoil) First off, what is with everyone liking this movie? I was almost subject to tears after realizing that people genuinely enjoyed this vile, annoying abomination. What the devil happened in this movie? NOTHING! NOTHING NOTHING! The only reason why I didn't slip into a comma was because I was hysterically laughing at how awful the acting, story or script was. That Snapping Moped gang that Tom Hanks is accepted in was unforgettably brilliant. Oh wait, did I say brilliant I meant to say ridiculous. How was he liked by everyone in college to the point where I thought girls were going to * in the hallways just by looking at him? FEZmakes an appearance as FEZ with a leather jacket, facial hair and even more homosexually charged than ever. Although in the movie he was portrayed as a tough heterosexual snapping biker. What? I'll never go down the dairy section in the grocery aisles because I'm now lactose intolerant from the pure cheese this movie stuffs down your throat. Or should I say French toast? HAHAHAHhahahhahah Tom Hanks wrote that "funny" himself. I feel I am now subject to starting a cult following that will ERADICATE this movie from earth. I sentence these two actors to having to watch this movie on repeat for eternity however; they would probably love that too much because they are extremely egotistical. Instead of Julia and Tom being the leading roles they will both be replaced by that Asian Economy instructor.

i can't believe this movie was even made. maybe in a few decades it could be enjoyed for some kind of kitsch value that time can grant some films (like those of ed wood), but i am skeptical of even that. from the dated tom petty songs in the soundtrack to the unbelievable characters and situations, the horrible script. it was reminiscent of "The Room", with A- list actors. (or until recently A-list actors... or until this was made A- list actors...) it was startling to see these capable actors in a film this horrible. i felt stupider as each minute of this movie went by. director/writer/actor tom hanks should stick to acting ("that thing you do" (which he also wrote) was no gem either). nia vardalos (co-writer and "my big fat Greek wedding" writer/actor) should maybe just retire.

I believe this movie to be very underrated and cannot understand why. I loved the story and characters. They were all so real and very funny. Hanks and Roberts were simply great but the whole cast did an impressive job and George Takei as the economics lecturer, Dr. Matsutani, was absolutely hilarious. OK the story is predicable and so was the ending, but I didn't care. It's a fun ride that's not to be taken seriously, so just sit back and enjoy this wonderful comedy.

You have seen those erectile dysfunction ads on TV for cialis, viagra, etc. They usually show two old people trying to have sex but seem to end up in adjoining bathtubs looking at the sunset. Larry Crowne is a lot like those commercials. I like romantic comedies as much as the next person. However I do not like geriatric romantic comedies. Drew Barrymore & Justin Long made a good one recently called Going the Distance. They took a chance & went for an R rating. & it worked. Tom Hanks & Julia Roberts are too old too stereotypical to pull off a romantic comedy. Their last movie something about a drunken congressman & a slutty socialite saving Afganistan has to be one of the worst movies ever made. & it was directed by Mike Nicols of all people. Julia Roberts has this horrible horse laugh which she uses over & over. It was annoying in My Best Friend's Wedding but now it is the signal in a movie to go to the bathroom & get more concessions. She has bad hair, a big mouth, a brain the size of a pea. I know that because I've seen her interviewed. Also as a frequent flyer I have been forced to see some of her movies on airplanes. Tom Hanks used to have bad hair too. He got a lot of flack for his haircut in The DaVinci Code. But he has since made a correction in that department.

What is this film about?!? OK, a bloke loses his job and he is in the latter years of life....And er, he goes to school and thats it, oh wait, he meets an alcoholic teacher and they sort of get it on! There is no chemistry in this film because the script doesn't require it. I can imagine when the original idea was pitched, it made sense, but on screen, it has nothing. I was bored at 30 minutes, at an hour it was starting to get to a point, but of course its only 1hr 40, so i rightly figured the remaining 40 mins would be boring!! I love Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, in fact I also respect Bryan Cranston who has a bit part that he should regret, but simply put, if you don't have a decent story, don't stand up on set, this is the absolute example of that!!! Watch it on telly when it appears, but don't pay to see it, that would be a waste.

Why is the movie getting such a bad rap?? It's really a very charming film with wonderful acting by Hanks and Roberts as well as a very good support cast. While the plot itself is no great shakes, it's very interesting, especially in these times of disheavelment. I know a lot of people as well as critics don't like it. Amazed. It's a 'feel good' kind of movie with no villains. Maybe that's why it doesn't sell to the average movie goer who likes foul language, violence, special effects and fast paced editing with hand held cameras yet. This is an old fashioned movie that was made in the 50-60's, so it's not relevant today? Too bad. See this one and you won't be disappointed. AND DON'T READ THOSE UNKIND COMMENTS.

Comedy authority Stan Freberg said once, and I agree, that humor needs to be based in reality. Unfortunately the reality that director-screenwriter-star Tom Hanks has constructed for himself here is that convenient target of community college as a collection of uninterested losers who try the instructors' patience to the extreme that he or she, much like leading-lady prof played by Julia Roberts, is angry, cynical -- yet at the same time apathetic -- and something of a tippler. Along comes Tom Hanks as Larry Crowne who, as a newly-unemployed middle-ager among the weeds of youth, somehow (osmosis?) introduces the unique perspective that age, intelligence and life experience can bring to continuing adult education. As Larry/Hanks struggles with his early attempts in the class, that of conversational speechmaking, we see Julia Roberts' character roll her eyes upward and refine her growing contempt as the younger folk in the class give supposedly insubstantial talks such as shopping and comparing one Star Trek series to another. Well, what should they be doing instead? In the meantime the instructor herself, as far as the audience can see, contributes nothing. Under the circumstances these kids are making a valiant, sincere effort. Okay, the one guy had crib notes written on the palm of his hand. By the way -- has anyone else figured this out -- there is nothing unusual about older adults, intelligent or otherwise, who return to school and find the real, practical self-enrichment they seek. This falseness of the film's primary concept is an embarrassing display of how little Hanks, et al, grasp the everyday realities which, to the movie audience, are dirt-common. I'd forgive any of the wrong turns taken in this film if it were funny. I didn't laugh once. Subplot that Roberts' character's own marriage is deteriorating (gee I wonder why), other than making her available to LC as a love interest, has, like so many other story elements (the motor scooter "gang," the eternal garage sale next door, waste of George Takei's good character work as poor man's John Houseman in Larry's other class -- wasn't Larry supposed to be taking three classes?) little or no integration with rest of story. Near end of picture Julia's character says to Larry/Hanks "You're a great student" and he says "You're a great teacher." No she isn't! The first and only time she shows the remotest interest in her job is five minutes before the final exam, when she has the students do a mild aerobic exercise to loosen up. It is, rather, the very fact that community college instructors don't make much money and don't find intellectual gold at the end of all their hard work that we know that they do care. My impression, and I'm sure many will agree, is that, if a student gives the slightest indication that he or she is trying to learn, a community college instructor will bend over backwards to give that person an education. Tom Hanks as director is out of touch with human society to a degree unprecedented since Kubrick in Eyes Wide Shut. One can only assume he agreed to this project as part of a deal to let him do something good next. Turner and Hooch 2? Will Hooch even return Hanks' phone calls after this?