Video:  Doesn't Measure Up

By: Holley Sinn

Verdict: Denied

Let me preface today's review by kissing a little "tookus".  I've always been told bad news should be delivered in sandwich form - one piece of positive information or feedback, followed by criticism, and book-ended with another slice of happiness and rainbows.  To start, it should be noted that Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts can elevate any sort of cinematic material.  Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts could do a commercial for cat litter, and it would be at least mildly entertaining....that is...if the cat litter commercial has at least a marginally decent script and a relatively cute feline.  Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are icons in Hollywood and beyond, but they are not, (at least I don't think they are), possessing of magical transformative abilities which sadly renders them powerless against really bad writing.     I am saying all of this because I am about to tell you some very unhappy things about "Larry Crowne", the latest from actor/director/producer/All-American guy Tom Hanks, and I don't want you to hate me.  Much like Mr. Hanks and Ms. Roberts, I like to be liked.

"Larry Crowne" stars Tom Hanks as the title character, an ex-Navy culinary specialist who is fired from his job at a Target-type chain store for having no college education.  He decides to enroll in a local community college and is encouraged by the Dean of Students to take two primary courses - "Speech 217" taught by the lovely but miserable Mercedes Tainot, played by Julia Roberts, and "Econ 1", taught by Dr. Matsutani, played by George Takei.  In an effort to save money, Larry has purchased a scooter from his friend Lamar, played by Cedric the Entertainer, which yields Larry's introduction to scooter-enthusiast, Talia, a free-spirited vintage collector played by Gugu Mbatha-Raw.  Talia unlocks Larry's "hipper" side, and helps him develop the courage to take on his life's challenges with more gusto.  She also encourages him to act on his attraction to his pseudo-alcoholic professor, Ms. Tainot.

Larry takes a job cooking at a local diner to help support himself and his college journey, all the while learning more and more about his own dangerous economic situation from Dr. Matsutani.  Ms. Tainot begins to suspect Larry of having a relationship with Talia as her own marriage to Dean, played by Bryan Cranston, is quickly dissolving.  Larry's catharsis truly begins when he realizes he will have to give up his house to foreclosure, yielding the beginning of an entirely new type of existence and the end of what he thought he wanted.  A chance encounter with Ms. Tainot at a bus stop leads to an intense, passionate moment that offers a possible glimpse into Larry's future.

"Larry Crowne" has some real moments of sparkle.  Upon moving out of his dream house, Larry looks back at his neighbors through his rearview window, a perspective the audience gets to share.  It is perhaps one of my favorite shots I have ever seen in film because of its simplicity and honesty in conveying Larry's fear about the future and sadness over moving on.  However, overall, the film feels lazy - like the script was dashed out in one sitting and never punched up with the type of witticisms that make a film this basic shine.  There is also a lot to be desired in the way of character development.  How did Larry come to work at the store after having been in the Navy.  Why is he divorced?  Why did Ms. Tainot ever marry pervy Dean to begin with?  These are things that a film about moving on really needs to address.  I wanted more exposition than the tiny slice offered up by Larry's final speech class performance which I would be willing to wager was the first bit of dialogue committed to paper when this script was born.  It borders on brilliant, but it isn't enough to carry the other 90 minutes. 

"Larry Crowne" is rated PG-13 for some language and mild sexual content, and it is now showing in theaters all over the bay area.  And, might I close by saying once again that Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are fabulous individuals, both of whom, I would wager, frequently save puppies from burning buildings and hand out popsicles to children they pass on the street.