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

1 win & 3 nominations.

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 (Dustin Hoffman) is in London for the weekend for his daughter Susan's (Liane Balaban's) wedding. His work in New York City preoccupies him: he writes music for ads, and he knows his boss Marvin (Richard Schiff) is pushing him aside for younger talent. With family, he's also on the sidelines - long divorced, his wife Jean (Kathy Baker) remarried, her husband Brian (James Brolin) is closer to his daughter than him. His path crosses that of Kate Walker (Dame Emma Thompson), 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 talks to Kate at a Heathrow bar. She's not interested. Where can this conversation lead? Back at his daughter's reception, Brian rises to give a toast.

---

Plot Keywords:

pantyhose | patterned pantyhose | female stockinged legs | wedding | middle age romance | 

---

Taglines:

It's about first loves, last chances and everything in between.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

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

---

Goofs

When Kate reenters the reception hall with Harvey, her handbag disappears as they walk towards the dance floor to start dancing.

---

Quotes

Kate Walker: Fair enough. You win.
Harvey Shine: What do you say, let me make it up to both of us and I'll buy you lunch? Or tea. How about tea, if it's teatime?
Kate Walker: Thanks very much, but I don't know you, and you don't know me, so...
Harvey Shine: That's exactly why we should have tea together.
Kate Walker: It's very sweet of you, but thank you. No.
Harvey Shine: Well, you've got your book.
Kate Walker: Mm.
[cell phone rings]
Harvey Shine: If that's for me, I'm in the shower. Aren't you gonna answer it?
Kate Walker: No.
[...]

---

Crazy Credits

During the final credits there is one more scene added.

---

Connections

Featured in Great Movie Mistakes (2010)

---

Soundtracks

I Got Opinions
Written & Performed by Greg Johnson
Courtesy of Johnson Music America, LLC

User Reviews

Predictable but Entertaining

This movie is about a socially awkward American man and British woman who meet in London, get to like one another and may have a future together. The plot has been done a zillion times. I pretty much knew what was going to happen twenty minutes into the film. What saves the film from being one huge predictable snooze fest is that the author is clever enough not to fall into too many clichés so things seem possible if not probable. And there is the excellent casting of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Their characters are quirky enough to be believable and both are very sympathetic. And there's no silly Hollywood ending with rockets bursting and doves flying into the sunset. There's a chance they might make it as a couple despite differences in age, culture and countries or they might be in for a huge disappointment and hurt--something both have known in their lives.

If you're expecting a movie that will entertain, be free of gratuitous sex scenes and violence with a charming backdrop of London landmarks, then this film is for you.

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

16 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Last Chance Harvey

Filming Locations:

Hounslow, Greater London, England, UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$97,260, 28 December 2008

Gross USA:

$14,889,042

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$32,568,427

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