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.

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Plot Keywords:

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

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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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

Dustin Hoffman is twenty-two years older than Emma Thompson. At one point, her character mentions her father having a heart problem. Hoffman is only eight years younger than Thompson's late father Eric Thompson.

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Goofs

After Harvey gets back from taking the business phone call at the dinner the length of his tie is wrong, the little end sticking out from under the thicker end. When is flashes back to Harvey the tie is fixed.

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Quotes

Harvey Shine: I have to tell you that it is a relief to find someone who actually says what they're feeling and what they're thinking. Especially in a place that is supposed to be, you know, Britian. English, reserved.
Kate Walker: Oh, no, no. Haven't you heard? We're a nation changed. Ever since Diana died, we're all sort of flowing out of us like water. You guys showed us the way, actually. No more stiff upper lip for us.
Harvey Shine: And what is that, exactly?
Kate Walker: What?
Harvey Shine: Stiff upper lip.
Kate Walker: I'm not sure, it's kind of the whole clenched ...
[...]

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Crazy Credits

During the final credits there is one more scene added.

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Connections

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

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Soundtracks

Don't Let Go
Written & Performed by Chris Rae & Frank McDonald
Courtesy of DeWolfe Music

User Reviews

Sentimental but not maudlin

What can we say about Dustie Hoffman and Emma Thompson? Here are 2 of the best in the profession laying out roles of two disaffected people who encounter in their disparate desperation and find in themselves something to come to grips with who they are. The interesting thing, is that this is a plot line that could be a stinker if played out wrong. The whole story drips with sentiment wrought by the conflict of aging, adrift in meaningless careers and embellished by the idea of being "losers." The story line has no great leaps, little action and unfolds in a potentially boring setting and what saves it is the performance of these two great veterans who give the yin and yang of two different people who compliment each other. This is a great movie. Go see it.