Last Chance Harvey

Filmmaker Joel Hopkins' modest but engaging romance Last Chance Harvey—a Cinderella story for fiftysomethings—finds Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson surprisingly well matched as unlikely lovers whose casual courtship begins with an unpromising encounter at an airport bar. Hoffman's Harvey is a washed-up composer of jingles for commercials, who is just about to be fired as he jets off to London for the wedding of his daughter, whom he's rarely seen since divorcing her mother years ago. Thompson's Kate is a lonely, middle-aged spinster whose dreary social life consists of unrewarding blind dates and boring visits to her elderly mother. What happens here is neither profound nor unexpected, but thanks to the accomplished performers Last Chance Harvey provokes understanding sighs and charmed smiles. The strong supporting cast includes Kathy Baker as Harvey's ex, James Brolin as her second hubby, and luminous Liane Balaban as the distant daughter who, deep down, still loves and misses her daddy. Viewers who ignore the slight story and conventional ending are likely to appreciate the time spent with Harvey and Kate. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include both full screen and widescreen versions, audio commentary by writer/director Joel Hopkins and costars Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, “An Unconventional Love Story” making-of featurette (17 min.), and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a winning little film.] (E. Hulse)