Reviewed by Doug Cooper
Stars Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker,
Liane Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff, Wendy Mae Brown | Written by Joel Hopkins
UK certification 12 | UK RRP £17.99 | DVD Region 2 | Runtime 89 minutes | Directed by Joel Hopkins
What would moviemakers do without London's South Bank eh? If a British-set romcom is made then a sunny walk along the Embankment, past the Royal Festival Hall, BFI Southbank, National Theatre etc is a prerequisite. Last Chance Harvey makes more than adequate use of these locations. In fact it has nice tourist shots of the capital throughout.
It's also refreshing to see a romcom where the protagonists are in the upper age bracket. Hoffman plays Harvey, a perfectionist New York composer of adverts who flies over to London to attend his daughter's wedding. He's an unhappy soul, and rather unreliable. At the pre-wedding dinner he's also very hurt to be told that he won't be giving his daughter away at the altar. She has chosen her stepdad for the task. But he meets the nice Kate (Thompson) at an airport bar. She's given up on men, depite being set up on dates by friends, and has an over-inquisitive mother (Atkins) who constantly phones her to boot. Though she believes herself to be over-the-hill, she opens up to the disorganised American, getting to know him through long walks and accompanying him to his daughter's wedding reception.
The two leads are terrific. Hoffman is always worth watching no matter what he appears in and it's great to see him carrying a movie again, displaying his full leading man credentials. Too often of late he's accepted supporting roles - he's too vital a performer to sit back and let others dominate. He still has lots of energy and the lines in his face now give him gravitas and character. Thompson partners him splendidly with a subtle, nuanced turn, always believable without being too ingratiating. They're a good match and this sweet, airy effort is an ideal vehicle for them. Though nothing much happens and it veers towards sentimentality on occasion, it draws you in with unforced confidence, taking its time while patiently achieving its agreeable rhythm. This mature, immensely likeable movie is a pleasure to watch and sends one out gratified with its civilised tone. Highly recommended.
EXTRAS *** An audio commentary with writer/director Hopkins and stars Hoffman and Thompson; two featurettes - An Unconventional Love Story: The Making of Last Chance Harvey, and Shall We Walk? Romance Along the Streets of London; and the trailer.