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Larry Crowne
- Review Date: July 1, 2011
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Hanks and Roberts co-star in well-meaning but treacly drama.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this drama stars Tom Hanks as a recently downsized man adrift in life who decides to go to college. Julia Roberts co-stars as a bitter teacher stuck in a bad marriage who relishes her end-of-day drinks just a bit more than she should. The film's messages about finding unexpected joy in life are positive and uplifting, but unfortunately they're delivered in a superficial way. Expect some flirting and kissing, brief but strong swearing (including "f--k"), and ogling of online photos of bikini-clad women. One character drives drunk -- but there are consequences for that decision.
What's the story?
Unmoored for the first time in ages after his company downsizes, Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) finds the ground suddenly unstable. He's upside down on his mortgage and doesn't know what to do next. So he buys a second-hand motor scooter, signs up for classes at the local community college, and re-tools himself for this modern, confusing age. His economics professor (George Takei) is brilliant but eccentric; his new pal, Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), is a free spirit who wants to make him over. But it's the alluring, unmotivated speech class professor, Mercedes (Julia Roberts), who really knocks Larry off his feet.
Is it any good?
We want to like LARRY CROWNE -- the movie, not the man. The character is plenty likeable, seeing as he's played by one of the most beloved actors in Hollywood, and the film is timely and potentially inspiring, focusing on a guy who's lost his job and needs to find a new path in a changing, economically shifting world. But instead of really digging into such fertile material, the filmmakers (including writer/director Hanks and co-screenwriter Nia Vardalos) have created a surprisingly superficial, tonally confusing movie that wants viewers to believe that Larry finds strength in being re-styled by a classmate and propositioned by a teacher who he says changed his life ... even though she doesn't want to invest too much energy in actual teaching.
The supporting characters are, for the most part, stereotypes (tough guy with a soft heart; quirky chick; porn-surfing, underemployed husband) and situations are wrung for profundity even when there's none. Still, the movie has a little charm thanks to its megawatt leads, who can sell almost anything. (Nearly.) Larry Crowne feels like it's shooting for indie sweetness, but, alas, no dice.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the movie's messages. Who do you think they're most intended to appeal to?
How does the movie portray drinking? Are the consequences of drinking presented realistically?
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AGE
Sweet predictable romcom for teens+
Larry Crowne is a quirky, sweet film chock full of positive messages. Crowne, (Hanks's lovable character) a divorced navy veteran laid off because he never went to college, decides to make some changes. Drowning in debt and unable to find a new job, he enrolls in the local community college. As he studies for his speech and economics classes and finds a part-time job, he meets new friends and rediscovers himself. His path converges with that of Mercedes Tainot, his unhappily married speech teacher -with easily-guessed results. The film's characters are believable, lovable, and predictably funny. The film offers great role models, laughs, and a great deal of heartwarming Hanks-appeal. While Larry Crowne certainly has lots going for it, there are some issues that make it ill-suited to younger viewers. First of all, the subject matter is too mature for younger ones. There is lots of drinking and one pretty intense bout of swearing. Great family fare for teens and older.
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AGE
it was a bad movie, even with this two biggies :(
1.5/5
Until he was downsized, affable, amiable Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he's worked since his time in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, Larry heads to his local college to start over. There he becomes part of a colorful community of outcasts, also-rans and the overlooked all trying to find a better future for themselves...often moving around town in a herd of scooters. In his public-speaking class, Larry develops an unexpected crush on his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), who has lost as much passion for teaching as she has for her husband.
with such high expectations i saw this movie, not much high since i saw its Rotten Tomatoes rating. you know if you see the lead actors, Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are one of my most favorites. and on the top of that Tom Hanks directed it himself. he previously directed That Thing You Do which i haven't seen.
when i saw this movie, i was so disappointed in them as actors and at him as a director. i honestly absolutely didn't liked this movie at all. this maybe one of the worst movies of this year with big stars. it may get Razzie nominations to be honest.
plot is going nowhere, story is sill and weird, writing is awful, acting is bad. since it is a bad movie i won't talk much about it. Tom Hanks as an actor was below average but somehow adorable in this character. seeing him in this age playing a character like this and that trying to be cool thing, i liked it. he could have acted better. Julia Roberts on the other hand, as much as i hate to say this but she was so annoying in the movie except in one or two places i don't remember giving a nice expression. she didn't acted at all. so disappointed in her.other actors include Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson , Gugu Mbatha-Raw , Wilmer Valderrama , Pam Grier , Rami Malek , George Takei , Grace Gummer , Rita Wilson , Jon Seda.
Tom Hanks as a director in this movie was not good. what was he thinking making this movie? screenplay was awful, absolutely boring and dull movie with a story, plot and written work so empty, thin and hollow that even after a while their adorableness doesn't save this movie. after a while i was like what is in this movie? nothing.
i would prefer other jobless movies over this one. its a very bad movie. and other thing that it even doesn't fill the requirements of a rom com seeing the history of both these actors in this genre.
this movie is not good at all i won't recommend it to you but if you wanna watch it for the actors then do it, because i did too. lol.
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AGE
Fun and clean!
Larry Crowne himself is a good role model. He works hard, goes to school, saves money, and makes a lot of friends. This is a positive movie and good for families. The only problems are a guy surfing porn, a woman who drinks too much, and one f-word. The rest of the movie is great!
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Kid, 11 years old
July 14, 2011
AGE
My Aunt Saw It, Liked It
I asked my aunt about going to see this movie sometime while I'm visiting her, and she said she liked it, but didn't think that kids under 12 would really "appreciate" it. She explained that it is about a guy (Tom Hanks) who gets fired from from his job cuz he never attended college. He then goes to a community college, makes some friends, develops a crush on his teacher...Just by looking at the trailer really gives it all away. I wanted to see it, but now am thinking about watching it when I'm a bit older. Check out my review on this movie in about 1-3 years.
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AGE
Predictable, but Satisfying
Very generic and predictable, but what it lacks in originality it almost makes up for because it's entertaining. The film is full of positive messages. It's far from a masterpiece, but if there wasn't much playing on TV, I'd probably watch it again.
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AGE
one great movie you cant miss
great movie but the main issues are that the husband is always searching on porno sites and the wife is an alcoholic and one part tom hanks is looking at a woman on a subway and he says oh im not a pervert or anything and she says too bad but it is a great movie
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AGE
Larry Crowne name is stipid
God I hate this movie its just bad TOM HAnks why?
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AGE
i want my 8 dollars back!
this movie was a complete waste of time,i was really bored although i thought this was a great movie,but its dissapointing me!
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AGE
Better than I though it was going to be
Most people don't injoy this sweet, cute, romance. I thought it was a well though out movie. I liked the acting from Tom but not Jullia. This movie defently demenstrates good positive Role Models and Messages. No Violence other than 1 Giant argument and some threats betwwen 2 guys fighting for a girl. Some innopropreate talk of sexual photo`s a man looks at. Jullia`s charecter drinks and get`s drunk.
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| Studio: | Universal Pictures |
| Director: | Tom Hanks |
| Cast: | Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Julia Roberts, Tom Hanks, Wilmer Valderrama |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 99 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | July 1, 2011 |
| DVD release date: | November 15, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | brief strong language and some sexual content |
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