LAST CHANCE HARVEY

US, 2009, 92 minutes, Colour.
Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker, Liane Baliban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff, Bronagh Gallagher, Daniel Lapaine, Patrick Ballardi.
Directed by Joel Hopkins.

Who said romance is dead by 70? Probably no one, but it can serve as a nice reflection to introduce a review of this film about older people. Dustin Hoffman was 70 when he made it and Emma Thompson 48.

Harvey Shine is a would-be jazz pianist who writes jingles for commercials. He has his cantankerous moments and is about to be let go by his company. However, he has to go off to London for his daughter's wedding. Actually, he hasn't been much of a husband or father and he is on the outer with his family (daughter, Liane Balaban, wife Kathy Baker and her husband, James Brolin).

In the meantime, we are introduced to Kate Walker, played by Emma Thompson. She is one of those women in a uniform that hover at airports to ask statistical questions. After his flight, Harvey is in no mood to answer her. She herself is a loner and sometimes socially awkward and has not found the right man. Her mother (Eileen Atkins) is worried about her and is an incessant phone ringer (especially when she is suspicious of her new Polish neighbour and fears he is a murderer).

Harvey's and Kate's paths cross again quite credibly at the airport and they strike up a conversation, initially quite reluctantly on her part. But, despite her saying that she can be mean-minded, she warms to Harvey's honesty and persuades him to go back to his daughter's wedding reception – which really changes both their lives around. The speeches are quite moving. This part of the film is warm-hearted and reminds us that reconciliation is possible and brings grace to a family.

The film is a mixture of stiff upper lip and heart on sleeve (which is amusingly discussed) so that the romance is sweet without being sickly sweet and there are touches of realism in the screenplay which give us hope for Harvey and Kate despite all the unlikely elements.

The scenes of London itself, especially along the Thames at Southbank, are very welcome. But, the success and appeal of the film is in the unobtrusively expert performances of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

1.A pleasing romantic comedy? For older audiences? The appeal?

2.The title, Harvey’s last chance, Kate’s last chance?

3.London, the city as a character, the Grosvenor, the South Bank, the buses, taxis, streets? The musical score?

4.An optimistic film, a film about second chances? Making mistakes, admitting them, reconciliation and reparation?

5.The introduction to Harvey, playing the piano, his work as a jingle writer, the attitude of the company, Marvin and his criticisms, Harvey being fired? Harvey and his determination, going to London for the wedding? Drinking and not sleeping on the plane? Kate and the questions, his grumpy reply?

6.The introduction to Kate, the thematic parallels with Harvey? Her work, her friendship with Aggie and Oonagh? Her asking questions of the passengers? Her mother, the visits, the incessant phone calls? Her mother’s suspicion of the Polish neighbour? Kate as unmarried? Going on the date, Oonah’s pressure? Oonagh and her boyfriend leaving, stuck with Simon, his embarrassment? The others arriving? Chatting, Kate going? More phone calls? The touch of meanness in her comments to her mother about her father? Exasperated?

7.Harvey, the hotel, alone, the phone call with his daughter, the white suit, going to the dinner, meeting with Jean and her disdain? With Brian? Socialising, the fiancé, chat, his bluntness? Taking the phone call, their changing the dinner place? The speeches, his intervention? Jean at the bar, talking to him about humiliating himself? Susan and her saying she wanted Brian to give her away? His going to the wedding, at the back, observing?

8.Hurrying back to New York, going to the airport, the fuss, missing the plane? His surliness at the counter? Going for the drink, Kate reading the book, his offering an apology, her putting him off, the further conversation, his explaining his day? Their sitting side by side at the meal? Kate listening? Warming to him, giving advice, offering him a moment of grace?

9.Her decision to accompany him to the reception? Her insistence that he go? Trying on the dresses, buying the dress, his getting a suit? Going to the reception, entering, Susan receiving him, their place on the table with the kids? The various guests, the speeches, his interrupting Brian, his speech, admitting his mistakes, Susan’s response? Kate pleased with him? Dancing with his daughter? His enjoying the dancing, Kate leaving, his noticing, playing the piano, returning and their dancing, the bond between them?

10.Walking, dawn, with the fountains? Making the date for midday? His not turning up, the Affair to Remember scenario? Kate and her reaction, phone call to her mother? Harvey’s collapse, going to the hospital, trying to contact Kate?

11.The phone call, his job on again, Marvin persuading him to come back? His decision to stay in London?

12.Going to the airport, meeting Oonagh and Aggie? Meeting Kate, the explanation, forgiveness? Possibilities?

13.Kate’s mother, her character, her husband leaving her, illness, suspicions of the Pole next door, the gift of the ham?

14.The positive ending, a positive film of hope, people making efforts and rectifying the past?