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. This conversation leads back at his daughter's reception, the step-father rises to give a toast. The story is charming and poignant, while the two really fine actors do not disappoint in any way, delivering wonderful performances. A very nice movie.Read full review
Features Actors:Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson,Richard Schiff,Liane Balaban,Daniel Lapaine,James Brolin,Eileen Atkins Running Time:93 Min. Rating:PG-13 Hoffman handles the title role here as Harvey Shine, an aging New Yorker facing last chances at love, career and fatherhood. As the story opens, we find him having a hard time holding on to his day gig as a TV-jingle writer. Despite a stern warning from his boss (Richard Schiff) that his job is in jeopardy, he flies to London for the impending wedding of his estranged daughter, Susan (Liane Balaban), to a chap named Scott (Daniel Lapaine). Harvey soon comes to regret his decision to attend when, shortly before the ceremony, she informs him that she's already asked her step-dad (James Brolin) to walk her down the aisle. Devastated by the snub, he rushes back to Heathrow but arrives too late to catch a flight back in time to prevent his being fired. Next, he dejectedly drags himself into a pub where, while crying in his beer, he becomes instantly smitten with Kate (Emma Thompson), a shy and retiring spinster. She's also down-in-the-dumps. between blind dates from hell and the constant smothering from her hovering helicopter mom (Eileen Atkins). It is therefore no surprise when sparks start to fly between these two sad sacks, and Kate grudgingly agrees to accompany Harvey to his daughter's wedding. After the reception, Harvey puts his plans to return to the States on hold indefinitely to pursue the whirlwind romance which ensues. Will the affair blossom into full-blown love? That is the unanswered question at the center of the Last Chance Harvey, an emotionally-restrained adventure. Hope this helps you decide.Thanks for reading! :)Read full review
Really like this movie because it is so true to life! Last Chance Harvey is a good example of how many divorced Dads get treated by their kids and ex-wives--as though they were second class citizens. Dustin Hoffman played the role great! It was a really good love story about two people who needed companionship as well as love and who had some baggage to deal with. I think you will like this movie if you like love stories about mature people. My opinion is that it is a wonderful movie and I highly recommend it.
This modest story has been told a million times - loveless singles who find each other. And yes, the story is way predictable, as American Dustin Hoffman ventures to London for his daughter's wedding, cross-cutting with British Emma Thompson struggling with a possessive mother, a rote job and impinging loneliness. You know what's coming. And it does. But the finesse with which Dustin and Emma handle their acting chores, squeezing every ounce of humanity from the script, and adding a lifetime of acting skills to paint their characters, is a joy to experience. The joy isn't discovery of the predictable plot developments, but of two pros filling the screen with their brand of humanity. But the script, for the most part, is nuanced and natural, rather than sitcom-y or broad, and doesn't go for the obvious line. There are rough edges in Emma Thompson's character delineation, as well as her mother's sketchy storyline, but for the most part -- when Dustin and Emma are on-screen - it's movie magic. With a lower case M, since there are no fireworks or Rocky-line denouement. But it's a special movie in its own way.Read full review
About a father no longer in the family since divorce. Family moved on but he was stuck in time. his daughter rejected him for her step dad who was actually part of her life
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVDs & Blu-ray Discs
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVDs & Blu-ray Discs