LARRY CROWNE

BY CHRISTOPHER HASKELL
NOVEMBER 17, 2011

Ever walk into a room and get the feeling that something is missing? “Larry Crowne” gives off that same vibe. There is a void, and initially, I could not place my finger on it, but I decided to sit down and edge out precisely what caused the bitterness I experienced following my viewing of the film.

Tom Hanks not only stars lead in the film but also takes the directing reins, a hat he has not worn since (correct me if I am wrong) “That Thing You Do!” back in 1996, as well as co-writer.

There are several reasons this film does not click. The first: is little to zero chemistry between the leads, Hanks and Julia Roberts. Both have shown that they can successfully have chemistry on-screen, but for whatever reason, whether it be the writing or the directing, it is hard to root for this couple. The script does play a part. Roberts’ character, Mercedes, is married, and though she eventually heads towards divorce (from Bryan Cranston), it is for shallow and loose reasons. Larry and Mercedes’ first kiss is while Mercedes is still married, drunk, and having just had the dumbest fight with her husband (Cranston plays Dean, who surfs for big-breasted women on the internet).

The second reason this film loses footing is that Larry Crowne appears to have no faults (and perhaps it is “Forrest Gump” talking, but Larry comes off as slightly imbecilic at times). Bad things happen to Larry like losing his job at the beginning of the film, being let go for not having a college education, and eventually losing his house, but Larry is void of any range of emotion. He tends to go with the flow, which rings false. A character needs to be fully developed in front of us for an audience to care genuinely. To use my favorite film this year (thus far), “Drive,” as an example, Ryan Gosling viciously murders a man in front of us. Yet, we are still emotionally invested in his story and generally hope the best for him. Larry Crowne does no wrong, but somehow I do not care how things turn out.

One can tell that “Larry Crowne” attempts to be quirky and emotional, but as I stated, there is just something not there. The moments that stick out come from the speech class Larry takes. Dave Mack (Malcolm Barrett) is one of Larry’s classmates, and his speeches and quick retorts are well worth the rest of the film’s mishaps. Also, a touching moment during Hank’s final speech caused a smile, but otherwise, this film lacks any guttural responses.

When it comes to films directed by well-known and admired actors like Tom Hanks, you wish the movie to do well, but it felt like “Larry Crowne” was a dud out of the gate. The film “The Ides of March” from earlier this year, directed by actor George Clooney, is proof that the acting/directing tag can fit, but Hanks needs to steer away from lackluster (semi-)romantic comedies and focus on something more his style.