Movie Review of Last Chance Harvey

Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson in Late-Blooming Romantic Comedy

Jan 16, 2009

It seems to be Harvey's last chance at work, at love, and at life.

When Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) leaves New York City for a trip to London to see his daughter’s wedding, he has no idea what he’s leaving behind nor heading toward.

In some ways, Harvey is much like the rest of us. He’s a frustrated composer/musician forced to work as an advertising jingle writer because he wasn’t quite good enough to do what his heart desired most. Likewise, his marriage failed and he hasn’t been able to find anyone else to love since the divorce. With time and chances ticking away each year, Harvey – nearing the age of retirement anyway – suddenly finds himself in a situation with little to lose.

Harvey Shine Journeys to London

He talks a little too much and wears the wrong clothes, but Harvey always means well. Despite his good intentions, his boss at the advertising agency warns him this is his last chance at work. If his jingle doesn’t sell the account, his job is over. With this pressure resting on his shoulders, Harvey travels to London for his daughter’s wedding.

He unfortunately discovers, however, that she intends to let her stepfather (James Brolin) give her away at the wedding instead of Harvey. Crushed and humiliated, he does his best to cooperate on her big day and get along with his ex-wife (Kathy Baker) while there. Everything about the situation intimidates and humiliates him.

Kate Walker Works in London

In her late forties and working at a boring job taking surveys at the airport, Kate Walker (Emma Thompson) lives a lonely existence caring for her fragile mother (Eileen Atkins) and going on uncomfortable blind dates set up by her friends at work. Although not entirely miserable, Kate teeters on the brink of unhappiness – merely getting through each day without any real joy.

When she encounters a short, grouchy jingle writer leaving the airport who refuses to answer her survey, Kate resigns herself to accept another one of the countless rejections she receives each day. When the man appears in her life again – this time a little less grouchy – she seems far from eager to take a chance on Harvey.

How Harvey and Kate Get Together

Writer-director Joel Hopkins (Jump Tomorrow) creates a delicate story about two lost souls who find each other through chance. Despite big-name actors, the movie retains a small film quality as if it were slowly and carefully handcrafted rather than churned out by a Hollywood machine.

Like the characters they portray, Hoffman and Thompson couldn’t be any more dissimilar, both physically and in their approach to the characters. Hoffman delivers a highly sympathetic performance with most of his fears and desires brimming to the surface after each new disappointment or opportunity. On the other hand, Thompson does far more communicating with her eyes, face, and gestures, keeping her British stiff upper lip while Harvey, the New Yorker, says whatever pops into his head.

As Kate’s neurotic mother, Atkins portrays a peculiar old women peeping through her windows at her suspicious new neighbor. Her clingy, overbearing ways are offset by her obvious love for her daughter, however. Atkins charms and delights in this role.

The copyright of the article Movie Review of Last Chance Harvey in Romantic Comedy Films is owned by Leslie C. Halpern. Permission to republish Movie Review of Last Chance Harvey in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.