LARRY CROWNE (12A)
02/07/11 ODEON, Chelmsford

I kind of 'cringed' when I had to choose between the likes of 'Transformer' movies, 'Caribbean pirate movies' or this Tom Hanks style special on my latest Cinema visit.

When you get hold of a 'near free voucher' & have to use it by a certain time, it's not easy when you realise that the films being shown on TV today are probably better than the ones to choose from out in the circuit!

Even the popcorn was lousy considering its value (& that's with the nearly free cinema entry ticket). But, hey let's see what can be enjoyed. After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college. Tom Hanks & Julia Roberts star in what you would think could be the blandest movie under the sun. Not far off, but actually fairly entertaining in that I didn't find it boring at all. Not even for one minute.

It must have meant that Hanks did a pretty reasonable job directing & co-writing the script here. Supposedly it's a comedy, drama, romance. Interesting in some ways, but with only one or two comedy moments that didn't quite tickle enough to laugh out loud, & with the romance, you do get to witness a couple of kisses.

It's not a masterpiece by any means, but I did leave the cinema feeling fairly satisfied.

Even the theme music seemed bland & non existent though, a kind of unrecognisable 'copyright free' home movie sound. Top marks for somehow keeping the interest flowing. The years do creep up on these well-known actors like Hanks & Roberts, but they can act really well at least.

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