After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college.
As lightweight as a salad and about as filling, this is amiable but predictable. Tom and Julia are as solid as ever but, like Hanks’ direction, they won’t be winning any awards.
This one coasts by on Hanks’ immense appeal and charm, but more focus and a touch more sharpness are needed to make it really come alive.
For all its faults, Larry Crowne could turn out to be this year's triumphant piece of summer counter-programming: a gentle alternative to noisy kid-oriented superhero flicks, raucous comedies and the upcoming cacophony of Transformers 3.
This is a film that can only be watched in utter misery. See it, and share in cinema's degradation.
The comedy is as gentle and aw-shucks as the drama, even though the film, also co-written by Hanks, attempts to deal with some tough subjects. If you’re in the mood for some of that, the more syrupy scenes will slip down easily enough.
Recession and romance can make for entertaining bed-partners (Up in the Air proved that) but Larry Crowne, however genial, is so limp and cack-handed it makes you hanker for the new Transformers.
Severely lacking in drama, characters and substance. Laugh at Takei, like Hanks, try to keep your eyes open.
Far from a superstar vehicle.
This is one to miss.
Very boring romcom.
Slow without being profound and shallow without being fun.
You can't really object to the likes of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts: they will never do less than a professional job. But the film they're attached to is blander than a milkshake and soppier than a Hallmark card.
Larry Crowne is an amiable piece of fluff although you'd think its two stars had better things to do.
It's a measure of Tom Hanks' skills as an actor that even when he saddles himself with a bland script that trades a little too heavily on his amiable, easygoing, nice-guy image, he's still able to bring a level of believability to it that makes it more worthwhile than it has any right to be.
From its jaunty, split-screen opening montage to its back-projected, scooter-riding closing credits, Larry Crowne has the air of a project locked in a drawer since 1993. They should have thrown away the key.
Hanks hits rock bottom – and keeps on digging.
Larry Crowne: Julia Roberts applauds Tom Hanks' talent as a director
Recession, as seen by Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts
Making a comedy drama out of a crisis
General release. Check local listings for show times.
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