ViewGuide

Created Dec 11, 2011 10:53AM PST • Edited Dec 11, 2011 10:53AM PST

1. Quality

2. Summary

   Barely OK 2.0

   Somewhat entertaining, but never really fully satisfying, Larry Crowne comes across as a somewhat bland picture. Tom Hanks stars, co-wrote, produced, fixed the food, and made the coffee in this film, and it’s lack of zing and appeal has to fall on his shoulders. As an advid Hanks fan, I found this particular effort to be one of his worst.

   Hanks plays the lead character, Larry Crowne, a middle-aged department store employee, who loses his job. Forced to go back to college, Larry finds himself in debt, and struggling to put his life back together. Along the way, he becomes involved with a group of scooter riding students, and a terminable unhappy speech teacher, played by Julia Roberts.

   Roberts character is an unpleasant, bitter, and narcissistic woman, filled with self-pity and loathing. A sharp contrast to Crowne, who appears happy-go-lucky, and almost childlike, oblivious to the disdain that Roberts portrays.

   The scooter gang is an odd mixture of students that really doesn’t seem to make much sense, other than being a cinematic vehicle to create a sense of belonging.

   Ok film at best, but nowhere near my must-see list.

4. Acting

   Barely OK 2.0

5. Male Stars Barely OK 2.0

   Hanks never really seems to establish his character. A vanilla effort form one of my favorite actors.

6. Female Stars Pretty Bad 1.5

   I admit I’ve never been a huge fan of Julia Roberts, but her character in this film was obnoxious and brooding. Not appealing.

7. Female Costars OK 2.5

8. Male Costars OK 2.5

10. Film

    OK 2.5

11. Direction Barely OK 2.0

    Director Tom Hanks doesn’t seem to get a whole lot out of this story. After watching this film, ask yourself this question: What is the story being told?

12. Play OK 2.5

13. Music OK 2.5

14. Visuals OK 2.5
15. Content

16. Edge

    Risqué 1.6

17. Sex Titillating 1.6

18. Violence Gentle 1.4

19. Rudeness Salty 1.7

21. Reality

    Glib 1.3

22. Circumstantial Glib 1.7

23. Biological Natural 1.0

24. Physical Glib 1.2