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Trust Weighted
OK
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88Trust Points
Wick's Review
Summary - Barely OK 2.0
Anybody seen a golden Hollywood crown? Tom Hanks lost his by directing, starring in and co-writing this disappointing dramedy. Notwithstanding Hanks having Hanks – the most likable leading man this side of Jimmy Stewart – and a resonant au courant theme, Larry Crowne barely rises to second rate Capra. It ain’t even Capracorn. If only.
It does include a terrific movie moment: Tom Hanks’ celebration after his big kiss with Julia Roberts, proof that A-list stars can light up the screen in an otherwise bad movie. The rest is a mawkish mess.
Tom, we’ll always love you as Woody, Forrest, Lovell, Jimmy Dugan (“There’s no crying in baseball.”) and about two dozen other nonpareil roles. We’re especially looking forward to your immortal Father in the upcoming Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close. It appears stunning. Plus it’ll put Larry Crowne in the rear view mirror.
Closure. We need closure.
Acting - Good 3.0
Tom Hanks remains an A-List moviestar. Guy next door charisma still in place? Check. Trustworthy? Check. Comedic timing? Check. Ability to rise above bad material? Gong.
Julia Roberts can still shine in the right role. This role – angry woman in need of a good man – isn’t it.
Let us now count the other wasted talents:
- Rita Wilson (Mrs. Hanks in real life) as a highly programmed bank functionary with a bad dye job.
- Cedric the Entertainer as Hanks’ yard-sale neighbor.
- Taraji P. Henson as his wife, I think. Henson’s a first rate actress who disappears in this picture. Sad.
- Gugu Mbatha-Raw as a cute coed. Gugu. Cute name.
- Wilmer Valderrama as her semi-tough boyfriend.
- Pam Grier is supposedly in this movie according to IMDb. Where?
- Bryan Cranston as a man gone bad. Breaking bad? Not exactly.
- George Takei as a weirdly pompous professor.
Male Stars - Very Good 3.5
Female Stars - Good 3.0
Female Costars - OK 2.5
Male Costars - Barely OK 2.0
Film - Pretty Bad 1.5
Amateurish script, mawkish emotions, trite situations.
Direction - Barely OK 2.0
Dialogue - Bad 1.0
Co-written by Tom Hanks - whose talents don't seem to extend to writing - and Nia Vardalos - whose peak of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding":http://www.viewguide.com/movie_reviews/3396-my-big-fat-greek-wedding will always loom above the rest of her oeuvre. Say no more.Music - Barely OK 2.0
Visuals - Barely OK 2.0
Edge - Risqué 1.7
Sex Titillating 1.7
Violence Gentle 1.5
Rudeness Salty 1.8
Reality - Glib 1.3
Circumstantial - Glib 1.4
Biological - Glib 1.3
Physical - Glib 1.3
2 Comments
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BrianSez Jul 17, 2011 8:34PM
Regarding BrianSez’s Review
Definitely worth seeing! -
Wick Jul 17, 2011 12:56AM
Regarding BrianSez’s Review
Happy to see Larry Crowne as Very Good, Bri. Wanted to get out and see it.