Crystal25 The movie has its flaws. It is slow, dull at times, and the storyline isn't that interesting either. It isn't really funny. I didn't like the gang of scooter riders, especially the lead girl who behaved as if she is too naïve to notice that she was behaving in an inappropriate way with an older man. I would have said that I didn't like this movie, but, I can't as Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts made all the difference. I like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, and they made me like the movie more. I think Tom Hanks is great in this movie and it is nice to see him working so hard for his college education. I liked all the scenes with Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. And it is because of their acting and on-screen sweetness that made me like this movie.

sol- Broke and down in spirits after being fired from his retail job of many years, a former navy cook reluctantly enrolls in community college to better himself in this comedy/drama blend written, directed by and starring Tom Hanks. The title character's dilemma is heartfelt after he is let go from his job due to his lack of higher education (as opposed to any misdeed) and much of the film works due to its lead performance. The story is certainly no great shakes with very little in terms of plot complications or adversities. Having bought a motorcycle to ride to college, Hanks fits in with the 'in crowd' with incredible ease; he also manages to very easily become the top student in both his classes whilst enjoying a very active social life with all his younger classmates who are eager to be his friend. If this sounds like it rings false, that is nothing compared to a predictable, convenient love interest that develops with one of his teachers. Played Julia Roberts, she offers a fairly one-note sour, sullen and moody performance. The rest of the supporting cast here are, however, in very good form, with Golden Globe nominated Rami Malek excellent as one of Crowne's lazier classmates, plus fine turns from Bryan Cranston, Pam Grier, Cedric the Entertainer and especially George Takei - with the film even including some amusing 'Star Trek' references. In fact, 'Larry Crowne' is a fairly funny film at the best of times with lots of amusing moments in both college classes. The story might well feel like wishful thinking overdone, but it engages adequately enough.

csengide This movie may not be the most engaging flick of the year, and I must admit I like it purely because of Larry Crowne's character. I think he is the definition of the type of man I would marry regardless of his status in life. He is authentic to the core, confident the right way, principled, at peace with the world and himself, full of love and kindness, and open to growth. Even sexy.. Does that exist in real life? The backdrop is completely secondary. I think I liked Talia's character second best, a free spirited, happy, passionate, caring girl who befriends Larry and looks at him as a buddy / father figure - while lovingly sprucing up his look & living space. A pleasant distraction. The writing, score, editing and direction left a bit to be desired.. The character played by Julia Roberts and the way she portrays her is more reminiscent of a 15 year older, even more bitter Erin Brockovich than a classical-music-singing, intellectually starved university professor. She completely despises her husband and shows no love for him at all. He is a twice published university professor, now in a lazy phase - part-time blogging & occasionally surfing porn. If she was an Audrey Hepburn type, elegant, highly intelligent woman I would understand the contrast. But Roberts' character is just as crass (perhaps even more so) and lacking in decorum as her husband, spending her down time drinking homemade margaritas. The pair would have been more believable as a trailer trash couple than mismatched academics. And Larry Crowne falling in love with her based on the classroom scenes, even less likely.Tom Hanks is a supremely intelligent man - he shouldn't be afraid to use his intellect in movie dialogue as they used to in the 50s, if pleasing the main stream homogenized crowd is not his goal anyway. Regardless - for me Larry Crowne was worthwhile for Larry Crowne himself. A glimpse of a simple, honest man with character. Tom Hanks' performance in this role in my opinion was nuanced and beautiful. So thanks..

Paul Larson If you only watch action movies, if you only look for car chases, if you can only watch obvious movies, you will hate Larry Crowne. This is a slow, subtle movie about the American middle class and how, at times, it fails. There is nothing obvious about this movie at all, which means you must use your brain while you watch it. Larry, the title character is emblematic of a hard-working, well-intentioned guy who loses his job because he doesn't fit the corporate profile of a college-educated middle-management big-box manager. He has to cut expenses, go back to school, and down-size. His American dream has run up on the rocks. As an almost-fifty kind of guy, he has to re-invent himself. None of this is easy to watch.He does not go to Harvard. He goes to a no-name community college. Every note in this movie rings true--abandoning his house and mortgage, buying a scooter, wearing his polo shirts tucked into his pants. His professor for speech class has long since become disillusioned with bad students, bad pay, and a stupid husband. In a series of scenes between the professor and her husband (who does nothing--she's the bread winner), we see her drinking too much, losing hope of any kind of meaningful relationship, wondering if things will ever get better. Her husband is hooked on internet porn--sad, really. In a sense, the movie is highly critical of consumer culture, the idea that everyone should have a mortgage, an SUV, and a white picket fence. In reality, none of these things matter.All of this develops through a series of scenes that slowly tell a story of failure, disillusionment, and desperation. The up-side, though it doesn't appear obvious at once, is speech class. Learning something new, outside of oneself. Roberts, as a professor who once had big ideals about doing a phd and writing a dissertation on Shakespeare, is spot on, and anyone who has taught anything at 8:00 am will understand her frustrations. One of the best scenes is Roberts riding on Hanks' scooter after she has fought with her husband--iconic.The denouement--Roberts going to see Hanks at his job as a short-order cook--is a quiet cry for help, and they both know it. She has helped him rebuild himself, and he is a small, quiet island upon which she might rebuild herself as well. The movie is slow. There are no shoot outs, chases, or fighting of any kind. There are no special effects. This is what life is really like. Often, unremarkable, but frequently, if you are paying attention, stunning.