Last Chance Harvey (2008)

In London for his daughter's wedding, a rumpled man finds his romantic spirits lifted by a new woman in his life.

Director:

Joel Hopkins

Writer:

Joel Hopkins

Stars:

Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Kathy Baker

Nominated for 2 Golden Globes. Another 1 win & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Dustin Hoffman	...	Harvey Shine
Emma Thompson	...	Kate Walker
Eileen Atkins	...	Maggie
Kathy Baker	...	Jean
Liane Balaban	...	Susan
James Brolin	...	Brian
Richard Schiff	...	Marvin
Tim Howar	...	Johnnie (as Timothy Howar)
Wendy Mae Brown	...	Aggie
Bronagh Gallagher	...	Oonagh
Jeremy Sheffield	...	Matt
Daniel Lapaine	...	Scott (as Daniel LaPaine)
Patrick Baladi	...	Simon
Adam James	...	Josh Hillman
Michael Landes	...	Peter Turner

Storyline

Harvey Shine is in London for the weekend for his daughter's wedding. His work in New York preoccupies him: he writes music for ads, and he knows his boss is pushing him aside for younger talent. With family he's also on the sidelines - long divorced, his wife remarried, her husband closer to his daughter than he. His path crosses that of Kate Walker, unmarried, her life becoming that of a spinster, set up by friends on blind dates leading nowhere. After Harvey's no good terrible day, he chats Kate up at a Heathrow bar. She's not interested. Where can this conversation lead? Back at his daughter's reception, the step-father rises to give a toast.

---

Plot Keywords:

wedding | middle age romance | quitting job | dancing | piano playing | 

---

Taglines:

When it comes to love, is it ever too late to take a chance?

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Japan]

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Tu última oportunidad

Filming Locations:

Belsize Park, London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$97,260, 28 December 2008, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$14,879,423, 19 April 2009

Company Credits

Production Co:

Overture Films, Process Media

Technical Specs

Runtime:

93 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the wedding banquet, the girl who speaks to Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson ("You do know this is the children's table?"), was played by Gaia Wise, Emma Thompson's daughter. Writer and Director Joel Hopkins' daughter is also seated at the table.

---

Goofs

During the wedding ceremony scene, Harvey's daughter is wearing a very casual beige dress, but later at the reception she is wearing a formal beaded wedding gown with ornaments in her hair. However, this is a common practice in British weddings: for each event the dress gets more formal.

---

Quotes

Harvey Shine: I'm sorry. I have the 1:30 to JFK.
Check-In Steward 1: I'm sorry, sir. I'm dealing with a passenger.
Harvey Shine: I want to go straight to the gate.
Check-In Steward 1: I will answer all your questions, but you will have to wait.
Harvey Shine: Okay. Ma'am, excuse me. I'm on the 1:30 to JFK.
Check-In Steward 2: Sir - Sir, there is a queue.
Harvey Shine: I appreciate that but I'm on the 1:30 flight to JFK.
Check-In Steward 2: That flight's now closed.
Harvey Shine: No no no, the plane doesn't take off for 40 minutes. I just want you to check...
Check-In Steward 2: Sir, the gate is already closed.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

During the final credits there is one more scene added.

---

Connections

Referenced in The 66th Annual Golden Globe Awards (2009)

---

Soundtracks

Hi Ching
Written & Performed by Inky Blackness
Courtesy of Extreme Music

User Reviews

Shocking is the word

I am absolutely shocked to see a modern day movie made that's devoid of special effects; explosions; fast cut editing; no foul language; no nudity; no vicious killings; no villains; no CGI. This movie was so refreshing for what it is. Tells a coherent story with no "shock ending", with actors who can ACT and not run around and look stunning with all kinds of make-up and fancy costumes. Also nice to see a movie made for ADULTS and not tweens or kiddies. Of course it was a box office dud, but who cares. Just wish more movies of this ilk are made and if only seen by a few people who love movies the way movies were meant to be made. Story, direction, acting and nice locales. Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson make a terrific team and would like to see them in a film again, not in tiny character parts, but as leads such as this.