Last Chance Harvey

    "Last Chance Harvey" is definitely an adult film. It may be PG13 rated, and actually, in my opinion more of a PG, but I cannot fathom how anyone under the age of 40 could understand this film, or moreover, why those same youngsters would even want to see this tight and well structured little film, written and directed by Joel Hopkins. But I got it, but then again, I'm no youngster.

    I was a youngster; however, when a 29 year old Dustin Hoffman burst onto the cinematic stage, and into cinematic history as Benjamin Braddock in the classic coming of age film, "The Graduate." Actor Hoffman is very short and mostly head, had a goofy face then, and even now, 41 years later, looks goofier. What separates Hoffman, then, as he made the giant leap to being a respected actor, from other, more tall or handsome, actors is his profound sense of self, his sense of presence and his remarkable talent. Hoffman throws his entire self into every role, and one must respect his level of commitment to his craft, his art. One senses a deep humor within the actor's ego as he portrays his characters as such real people.

    As Harvey Shine, Hoffman brings to the stage a rumpled, humble, little man, who has been passed over at many points in his life, and is resolved to retain his dignity in his pursuit of an otherwise purposeful life. He was dumped by his wife, years earlier, because of his inadequacies, and his daughter even asks his stepfather to give her away in her destination wedding in London, England, rather than her crumpled little dad, Harvey. And yet, he retains his dignity.

    When he has a chance meeting with a middle-aged, London woman, Kate Walker, portrayed by venerable actress Emma Thompson, who has her own issues, the timing could not be more perfect - for both parties. The two great actors are so comfortable with each other, they us believe a relationship could work between to socially damaged people. In fact these two actors are so adept at projecting a need for the audience's empathetic response (a sympathetic response from the youngsters), they make you root for them to succeed. Do they succeed?

    Give it 92 minutes of your life to find out.

    Released on DVD May 5, 2009.