Debby and I rented Last Chance Harvey this evening. The movie is about two people who share the ability to be in a room full of people and still be alone.
Harvey, well played by Dustin Hoffman, finds himself with nothing to lose and finds in that circumstance the confidence to pursue a beautiful woman.
Emma Thompson is wonderful as Kate Walker, the object of Harvey’s pursuit. This is the first time I’ve really seen Thompson (I’ve seen bits and pieces of Primary Colors, but nothing else with her in it).
Generally well put together movie. I noticed a couple of unusal shots, one of which I don’t think worked all that well (at the first kiss). Now and then the soundtrack was terrific and at one point I thought the theme was getting overplayed a bit. There is a nice subplot with Kate’s mother concerned about her new neighbor, a Pole who “bar-b-ques” a lot.
A sweet movie that keeps its feet on the ground. There is no sex. There is no implied sex. There are no soaring violins as the two people finally know they are in love and manage to get together despite all the odds. There is just two people who decide to give it go and spend some time together.
My enjoyment of this movie was enhanced by my identification with Hoffman’s character. I have always had the talent of being able to be alone in a room full of people. And I managed to woo Debby (my wife) because I was at a point where there was little left to lose. It is a lot easier to be confident in such a situation.
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My sister and I saw this movie and we were disappointed. Hoffman’s character was so sad although one did get the sense that he was overcoming his “sad-sack’ image. What bothered us was the protrayal of Emma Thompson’s character as unhappy mostly because she did not have a man in her life. I can happily state that life can be very full and happy without a man in it! (Nothing against men; I love them.)