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After losing his job, a middle-aged man reinvents himself by going back to college.

Director:

Tom Hanks
Reviews
Popularity
3,101 ( 758)
3 nominations. See more awards »

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Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Tom Hanks ... Larry Crowne
Sarah Mahoney Sarah Mahoney ... Samantha
Roxana Ortega ... Alvarez
Randall Park ... Trainee Wong
Brady Rubin ... Dorothy Genkos
Alex Quijano ... Team Leader #1
Tina Huang ... Team Leader #2
E-Kan Soong ... Team Leader #3
Tarina Pouncy ... Team Leader #4
Sy Richardson ... Avery
Julie Wagner ... Vacuum Shopper
Rob Riggle ... Jack Strang
Erin Underwood ... Mom with Baby
Dale Dye ... Cox
Barry Sobel ... Cubby
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Storyline

Until he was downsized, affable, amiable Larry Crowne (Hanks) was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he's worked since his time in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, Larry heads to his local college to start over. There he becomes part of a colorful community of outcasts, also-rans and the overlooked all trying to find a better future for themselves...often moving around town in a herd of scooters. In his public-speaking class, Larry develops an unexpected crush on his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), who has lost as much passion for teaching as she has for her husband. The simple guy who has every reason to think his life has stalled will come to learn an unexpected lesson: when you think everything worth having has passed you by, you just might discover your reason to live. Written by Universal Pictures

Plot Summary | Plot Synopsis

Taglines:

Never too late in life to start living.

Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Romance

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual content | See all certifications »

Parents Guide:

View content advisory »
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Did You Know?

Trivia

In this film Tom Hanks plays a short order cook. In real life his father Amos Medford Hanks was a cook. See more »

Goofs

Dr. Matsutani in Econ 1 displays a second-semester textbook instead of a first-semester textbook. See more »

Quotes

Mercedes Tainot: Larry, you're a great student. I'm not an easy A.
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Crazy Credits

Some of the roadsigns shown in the background don't have actual place names on them but words used in the movie, like 'Chilloot Park' (from a line said by Dean Tainot), or 'Break even paradox' (from a line said by Larry Crowne during Economics 1). See more »

Connections

Featured in The EE British Academy Film Awards (2015) See more »

Soundtracks

I'll Do Better
Written by Jarrod Gorbel
Performed by Jarrod Gorbel
Courtesy of Burning House Records
By arrangement with Warner Music Group Film & TV Licensing
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User Reviews

 
Very good
16 December 2011 | by ron-fernandez-pittsburghSee all my reviews

Why is the movie getting such a bad rap?? It's really a very charming film with wonderful acting by Hanks and Roberts as well as a very good support cast. While the plot itself is no great shakes, it's very interesting, especially in these times of disheavelment. I know a lot of people as well as critics don't like it. Amazed. It's a 'feel good' kind of movie with no villains. Maybe that's why it doesn't sell to the average movie goer who likes foul language, violence, special effects and fast paced editing with hand held cameras yet. This is an old fashioned movie that was made in the 50-60's, so it's not relevant today? Too bad. See this one and you won't be disappointed. AND DON'T READ THOSE UNKIND COMMENTS.


34 of 38 people found this review helpful.  Was this review helpful to you? | Report this
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Details

Country:

USA | France

Language:

English

Release Date:

1 July 2011 (USA) See more »

Also Known As:

Talk of the Town See more »

Filming Locations:

Reseda, California, USA See more »

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Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$13,096,065, 3 July 2011

Gross USA:

$35,608,245

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$75,055,070
See more on IMDbPro »

Company Credits

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Technical Specs

Runtime:

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | SDDS | Datasat

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.39 : 1
See full technical specs »

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