Last Chance Harvey (2008)

Directed by: Joel Hopkins | 92 minutes | drama, comedy, romance | Actors: Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker, Liane Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff, Tim Howard, Wendy Mae Brown, Bronagh Gallagher, Jeremy Sheffield, Daniel Lapaine, Patrick Baladi, Adam James, Michael Landes

Dustin Hoffman’s last chance to make a romantic comedy drama? Or his last chance to play a full role again? The 71-year-old actor still looks good for his age, which is wisely concealed; he must represent a man just under sixty. But hey, Hoffman also manages with his acting. It had been a while since he played a significant lead role in a major movie. Not that Harvey’s role is now comparable to Michael Dorsey/Dorothy Michaels from ‘Tootsie’ or Ted Kramer from ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’. And that is mainly due to the film. We are dealing here with a well-executed, but unsurprising style exercise. The word ‘comedy’ still applies and could be left out, were it not for the fact that the film lacks a bit of depth for a really interesting drama. Difficult. ‘Entertainment’ is the magic word here and for that the word ‘romance’ has been added.

And romantic it’s all the best. London is in a good position and is more or less presented as a sort of Northern European variant of Paris, which it is of course not, but in any case there is no shortage of idyllic spots. The two lovers are no longer youngsters, but their chemistry is believable, both in the script and in the direction and acting. The new British director Joel Hopkins has done his best and brings a nice film, but does not take any risks. ‘Last Chance Harvey’ is therefore nothing new under the sun, but shows a pleasant interplay between two actors with whom it is almost impossible to go wrong. Because in addition to Hoffman, Emma Thompson also does her job well and reaches the finish line with a pass.

The same goes for the film, which won’t win any Oscars and won’t be listed in the top ten of the funniest, most moving or simply ‘best’ romantic films, but it’s worth it and does what it’s supposed to do: entertain, with a smile. and a tear, from start to finish.