Review of Larry Crowne (2011) by Jennifer J — 27 Jun 2012

Gosh darn it, I enjoyed Larry Crowne. Yes, some of it is beyond dopey and the movie keeps going when it should really stop. But you know what? This is, fundamentally, a story about a man changing nearly everything about himself (beliefs, personal touchstones, his life) because the people around him quite literally force the change.

It's a gradual process, to be sure, and no one actually articulates it on screen. But it is there if you watch for it. It's a relevant story, starting with a job layoff and a home foreclosure, coupled with much-needed humor this summer and one of those Tom Hanks performances you can't help but like.

Sure, the romance with Julia Roberts doesn't quite work...but whatever. Sometimes a little formula goes a long way.