Read User Reviews and Submit your own for Last Chance Harvey

9

EduardoB.Jan 10, 2009

Wonderful adult acting. Nice photography. Good script.

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9

MichaelS.Jan 8, 2009

I didn't know what to expect from this movie, but I ended up really enjoying it. I thought that the performances were excellent, and I loved the gentle pace and the very real way it explored what it's like to be lonely.

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10

DianeBFeb 10, 2009

Two of my favorite actors doing what they do best.

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9

KathySFeb 1, 2009

One of the most enjoyable movies I've seen in recent months. The script and the performances are filled with nuance and complexity.

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8

HellmuthSFeb 5, 2009

Emma Thompson was excellent, Dustin Hoffman quite good, and the chemistry they create suited this small, unpretentious slice of life story perfectly. Thoroughly enjoyable.

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10

TheresaEMay 11, 2009

The best movie I've seen in too long a time. From the first time I saw the TV commercial for this, I knew I had to see this film in the theater. Money well-spent. This film is beautiful, from the acting through to the camera work and The best movie I've seen in too long a time. From the first time I saw the TV commercial for this, I knew I had to see this film in the theater. Money well-spent. This film is beautiful, from the acting through to the camera work and sountrack. This is a movie for grownups looking for drama and character-development. There isn't much funny ha-ha here. This movie is very real look at a time in life that is too often ignored by Hollywood.… Expand

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6

TonyB.Jun 28, 2009

Quite appealing, with not a villain in sight.

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7

LisaJan 11, 2009

Given the mediocre reviews, I assumed it would be disappointing, but I was pleasantly surprised. I thought it was charming and sweet.

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9

dennislJan 12, 2009

A nice love story about two fairly decent people. Light fare, but with a few good emotional touches. Surprised by the rather low score from the critics. They praise a stinkbomb like "Happy-Go-Lucky" and give Dustin & Emma the brush off.

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7

JoeJJan 24, 2009

It works because everyone has, at some time, been in a similar position; a man with no luck, and a woman without a friend. The characters compliment each other quite well, making not only Harvey but the movie as a whole, shine with hope.

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7

BillyS.Jan 18, 2009

Last Chance Harvey is a sweet little confection of a movie made for a specific audience that will appreciate, and never tire of, watching two consummate actors in roles that are hard to come by, but never the less, perfect for Dustin Hoffman Last Chance Harvey is a sweet little confection of a movie made for a specific audience that will appreciate, and never tire of, watching two consummate actors in roles that are hard to come by, but never the less, perfect for Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.… Expand

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7

PatG.Dec 31, 2008

It is a great treat to see these two fine actors at work, even in a small film such as this. Same goes for Eileen Atkins. With all the Nazis, and wars, and deaths, and diseases in the Oscar-bait films, it is a joy to watch a romance played It is a great treat to see these two fine actors at work, even in a small film such as this. Same goes for Eileen Atkins. With all the Nazis, and wars, and deaths, and diseases in the Oscar-bait films, it is a joy to watch a romance played out by such actors. I enjoyed it very much.… Expand

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7

scottyb1Aug 14, 2010

Just a really lovely, classy film. Hoffman and Thompson's performance's are so wonderfully understated you can hardly take your eyes off them, even in a movie where not a lot is really happening. The third star of the show is the city ofJust a really lovely, classy film. Hoffman and Thompson's performance's are so wonderfully understated you can hardly take your eyes off them, even in a movie where not a lot is really happening. The third star of the show is the city of London which looks as enchanting and beautiful as it does even in Richard Curtis' best efforts. It's not a spectacular film, it's not amazing, the best way to describe it is just 'nice', very nice.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

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3

markiMar 27, 2009

Worse than expected. Romance without the comedy. First 60 minutes dreary, lightens up after main characters meet. Where's the joy?

0 of 1 users found this helpful

4

HebertoL.May 23, 2009

It's very sad seeing super actors in 2nd rated romantic films. Completely forgettable.

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2

MicheleBJan 25, 2009

Boring and unimaginative-Hoffman is very creepy and Emma Thompson should have known better. Awful dialogue, terrible directing, The second movie in 30 years I have walked out of after 1 hour of agony. Do not waste the time or money.

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6

JayHMay 3, 2009

Emma Thompson makes this one worth watching, otherwise it is a rather ordinary romance. Nicely produced, but I was never fully convinced with the story. Not bad, but also not very memorable.

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0

ramsaypAug 9, 2009

Yep, zero. I can sum up this movie in one sentence: Writers trying to find a story and actors trying to find characters, while piano music plays softly underneath. Seeing Hoffman and Thompson in such movie is tantamount to catching your Yep, zero. I can sum up this movie in one sentence: Writers trying to find a story and actors trying to find characters, while piano music plays softly underneath. Seeing Hoffman and Thompson in such movie is tantamount to catching your parents in "two girls one cup."… Expand

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0

[Another]Jan 3, 2009

Good acting in a bad movie- like Closer.

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8

PaulFFeb 4, 2009

If Last Chance Harvey had anything going for it it was that in many ways it seemed to touch upon real life issues. The story wasn't earth shaking, or the drama nail biting, but it had a realness to it that in the end made watching this If Last Chance Harvey had anything going for it it was that in many ways it seemed to touch upon real life issues. The story wasn't earth shaking, or the drama nail biting, but it had a realness to it that in the end made watching this film a worth while experience. This is definitely not for children or teeny boopers, not because it had anything too adult for their eyes to watch but simply it catered to an older crowd. As an man getting close to his forties I could really identify with his job issues and how they related to his insecurities. I could relate to his issues with broken families and his strained but still loving relationship with his daughter. As someone still single I also related to his desire to change, for something new in his life; But also identified with Emma's caution of not wanting to jump in too fast. In short this film spoke to me, not in a powerful hit me over the head way but in a simple nod of the head way that might work its way in further as time continues on.… Expand

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10

[Anonymous]May 25, 2009

Just a little bit hard to accept the magnificent Ms Emma as a love partner to a fading Mr Hoffman - until you realize that this is the plot. Emma explains it all toward the end of the movie in most credible fashion. An 8 as a film, a 10 Just a little bit hard to accept the magnificent Ms Emma as a love partner to a fading Mr Hoffman - until you realize that this is the plot. Emma explains it all toward the end of the movie in most credible fashion. An 8 as a film, a 10 after you read the director's comments.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful

0

luisDec 27, 2008

Dustin Hoffman makes the worst performance of all his carreer and one of the worst performances of the year.

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7

TomH.Jan 16, 2009

Better than I thought it would be although I found Hoffman's character a little annoying.

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10

LeoTs3181983Sep 3, 2010

The combination of Dustin Hoffman as a middle aged American commercial jingle writer and Emma Thompson as a lonely British statisitcian in her late 40s are what makes Last Chance Harvey the masterpiece it is.

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5

txrangersfan72Sep 19, 2010

While there were elements of sweetness and sadness, I don't buy these two together at all. For two such great actors, the casting was bad. It wasn't natural at all. Frankly, I blame Dustin's weak performance. It may be the editing as wellWhile there were elements of sweetness and sadness, I don't buy these two together at all. For two such great actors, the casting was bad. It wasn't natural at all. Frankly, I blame Dustin's weak performance. It may be the editing as well since the progression of this relationship, even in its suddenness, doesn't seem like right at all. The flow just isn't believable. As a result, it seems way over-dramatic. Even for a drama.… Expand

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1

SixellaDec 5, 2010

This movie was awful with no substantial substance. The acting was the only thing that made me give it a 1, otherwise there would be a 0. I felt as though there was no real story here and definitely no humour. Easily a forgettable film.

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6

beingryanjudeSep 3, 2014

One of the classiest romantic-comedies of recent years, Richard Curtis is wonderful as ever. Unfortunately, while I adored both Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson in this film, together--they just didn't seem to have all that much chemistry.

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5

SpangleSep 23, 2017

Cute and fluffy, Last Chance Harvey is unchallenging cinema with two fantastic leads as Emma Thompson generously gives geriatric Dustin Hoffman one last shot at love in spite of the fact that he is a horribly neglectful father. Fortunately,Cute and fluffy, Last Chance Harvey is unchallenging cinema with two fantastic leads as Emma Thompson generously gives geriatric Dustin Hoffman one last shot at love in spite of the fact that he is a horribly neglectful father. Fortunately, as a Manic Pixie Dream Middle-Aged Woman, Thompson's neurotic, always understanding, up for anything that benefits Harvey (Hoffman) after knowing him for a day, and easily alterable schedule, character hardly cares. The age gap - and Hoffman's appearance - are so bad that I initially thought that he was playing her father with Thompson's Kate being tasked with setting her aging father up with some other woman from the home. It is only later that I realized that, no, they were meant to be together. Though Hoffman may look a young 71, Thompson was still about 49 in this film. If she was gold digging, she may as well marry some guy closer to the grave or who at least has any gold. A cliche, simplistic, and largely run-of-the-mill romantic comedy about an old man finding out what finally matters: family and love. Though a cliched and predictable scrap heap of romance genre cliches, Last Chance Harvey somehow does work. Its success is perhaps because it is often adorable, but largely can be credited to its leads. While Hoffman and Thompson have a considerable age difference between them, they nonetheless click. Playing off one another very naturally when given the room to do so, the pairing does make sense when they just walk around London and chat. Displaying great chemistry and their usual wit, the happy couple work perfectly with one another and truly sell the romance. Though the writing is often slack, the earnestness of Hoffman's performance and the manic turn from Thompson do bring life to the dialogue and plot. Allowing the audience to truly feel their every emotion - namely Harvey at his daughter's wedding in his speech or Kate as she tries to wrap her around a man wanting her again - Last Chance Harvey manages to be a film that is oddly affecting and always adorable. Without Hoffman and Thompson at the center of this film, Last Chance Harvey would just be a dull, predictable, and dry romantic comedy that somehow everyone's parents have a copy of that has a permanent home on the bookshelf.

However, what does truly hold this film back is its plot. Contrived and predictable, the plot just never works. For the former, Last Chance Harvey seems to operate in some alternate universe. On the day of his daughter's wedding, Harvey wants to get back to New York on a flight at 1:30 PM from London. Skipping out on the reception to do so, he nonetheless arrives late and states that the flight is about forty minutes from taking off. Placing his late arrival at about 12:50, the traffic beforehand likely means his daughter's ceremony began between 11:00-11:30. From there, he went to the airport where he was late. Meeting Kate, having a late lunch with her, getting a drink with her, walking around with her through the airport, racing to catch up with her to go to a totally different part of London instead of going to his hotel, walking around London, waiting around for her as she goes to a writing class for an hour, and then walking around again, Harvey clearly has a rather full day. By the time it is over, it is revealed that is approximately 7:00 PM. Stating that he left the wedding before the reception, which he says is likely over by now, Kate tries to get him to make it right before the end. Successfully convincing Harvey to go to his daughter's reception, the pair stop to buy Kate an appropriate dress for the occasion. Even if they rushed, the walk over, the trying on of multiple dresses, and the purchasing of them, likely places them leaving the store at around 8:00. Likely later. By the time they get back across town to where the reception is, it has to be about 8:45. Yet, fortunately enough, THE RECEPTION HAS NOT EVEN BEGUN. Harvey arrives just in time for the best man speech, the speech from the father, the father-daughter dance, and all of the partying. I understand, of course, that the reception may not start until later in the evening if the ceremony is so early in the day, but damn. How late did they intend on starting? Why did Harvey think it would be over if he should have known damn well that it did not start until about 9:00 PM? Why did everybody stay? If a wedding I attended had a reception that started no less than 10 hours after the ceremony started, I would have bolted. Even if I intended to stay, the suicidal thoughts that started around hour three of waiting for Harvey to finally arrive would have seen me book it for the door. Yet, no, the full house is eager and ready to go. Timing the start of the reception with when Harvey finally arrives - even though he was not expected to be there - there seems to be no animosity or confusion as to why the reception literally refused to ever start. Presumably it was delayed, as everybody is still dressed up.… Expand

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