Review of Larry Crowne (2011) by Red L — 21 Dec 2011

The story itself is charming. Tom Hanks plays a single middle-aged man, seemingly happy in his position as a salesclerk for a big-box store that he has been at for years; until the day he gets the news he is getting let go.

Once realizing there was no room in today's world in a new job position at his age and without a formal education he decides to enroll in several college classes to help get a leg up. One of the teachers (that forms the love interest here) is played by Julie Roberts who is in a bad and failing marriage and is nearly as unhappy in her teaching position.

Hanks also acquires an old motorized scooter from his neighbor's yard sale and makes some young friends who also ride scooters who inspire him to change his lifestyle. As I said, the story is charming and he is wonderful.

The chemistry however between he and Julia Roberts is just not what it needed to be for this role; and I have to also say her character I found just hard to sympathize with. Over all this is enjoyableâ¦enough, but not as special as I think it could have been with someone else in the leading lady role and a few nip-tucks to the script.