Last Chance Harvey
It's about first loves, last chances, and everything in between.
New Yorker Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss (Richard Schiff) that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter's (Liane Balaban) wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting... or else.
Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather (James Brolin) walk her down the aisle. Trying to hide his devastation, Harvey leaves the wedding before the reception in hopes of getting to the airport on time, but misses the plane anyway. When he calls his boss to explain, Harvey is fired on the spot.
Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate (Emma Thompson), a sensitive, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Kate, whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother (Eileen Atkins), is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energized by her intelligence and compassion.
The growing connection between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another's lives.
Member Reviews
on the fence - huma
my love for dustin hoffman and emma thomson wasn't enough to make me love this movie. the idea is excellent, but the characters weren't developed enough and the story felt a bit disjointed...it could've done with a few more scenes to fill it out a bit more. a pleasant film, but not remarkable.Give it a Chance - Sheenie
Aside from the obvious great talent, this movie has great character development and a plot less than typical. Flawed characters, but at a point in their lives when they realized who they are - and what's missing. Take a break from beautiful love stories with beautiful people and beautiful angst and give this a chance.Love in middle life - jillmo
I quite enjoyed this movie for its study of character. Both the leads are portrayed as outsiders in their own lives in middle life - a rare study in movies full of the young, beautiful, rich and successful. It avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality and tragedy and for ended up a feel good movie without tears.
Member Reviews
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on the fence - huma
my love for dustin hoffman and emma thomson wasn't enough to make me love this movie. the idea is excellent, but the characters weren't developed enough and the story felt a bit disjointed...it could've done with a few more scenes to fill it out a bit more. ...Give it a Chance - Sheenie
Aside from the obvious great talent, this movie has great character development and a plot less than typical. Flawed characters, but at a point in their lives when they realized who they are - and what's missing. Take a break from beautiful love stories with ...Love in middle life - jillmo
I quite enjoyed this movie for its study of character. Both the leads are portrayed as outsiders in their own lives in middle life - a rare study in movies full of the young, beautiful, rich and successful. It avoids the pitfalls of sentimentality and tragedy ...