by Everett Jensen

Created on: February 15, 2009

Last Chance Harvey
written and directed by Joel Hopkins
starring Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker, Liane Balaban, James Brolin, Richard Schiff, Daniel Lapaine

Harvey Shine (Hoffman) is having a bit of a crisis. His job writing commercial jingles hangs in the balance as he leaves New York for London to attend the wedding of his daughter Susan (Balaban) to Scott (Lapaine). In short order Susan tells him she would prefer that her step father Brian (Brolin) give her away and he loses his job. Utterly dejected he stumbles into a bar and is transfixed by a woman named Kate Walker (Thompson) who tries her best to ignore his advances. Undeterred he worms his way in and manages to convince her to let him walk her to her writing class. The film focuses on the slow, deliberate march to romance that develops as these two gradually suss each other out over the rest of the evening.

It is simply a joy to watch two powerhouse actors awkwardly and tentatively dance about one another as the inevitable makes itself manifest. Each of them is just so good at playing wounded and crestfallen. Kate isn't thrilled with how things have gone and has essentially sworn off men although she does agree to a blind date that she knows upon meeting him will lead nowhere. She has a tendency to thrive on disappointment so when Harvey doesn't show at an agreed upon meeting place she's relieved. She's also deeply hurt and decides that Harvey isn't worth mussing her hair about. However, he's determined and decides he's not going back to New York and he puts all his efforts into convincing Kate that he's the right man for her.

The film unveils the process that takes place whenever two people meet for the first time. Harvey already possesses a lead into communication because he regrets being so cold when he brushed Kate off at the airport as she attempted to ask him a few questions as per her job. He apologizes profusely and waits for her to respond. He's not easily rebuffed and sets his sights firmly on getting to know her. She quickly melts and eventually she accepts him as something other than a stranger. His efforts pay off and he's ultimately given an opportunity to forget the difficulties of the day while walking with Kate. The River Thames provides a gorgeous backdrop as these two people begin to learn about each other in the most casual manner possible.

Kate convinces Harvey to attend his daughter's wedding reception which he told Susan he would be missing because he had

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