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Larry Crowne
2011 98 min United States of America, France PG-13 12+
★5.8
Comedy, Romance, Drama
Director: Tom Hanks
Trailers
Description
When he suddenly finds himself without his long-standing blue-collar job, Larry Crowne enrolls at his local college to start over. There, he becomes part of an eclectic community of students and develops a crush on his teacher.
Budget:
$30M
US Gross:
$35.61M
Worldwide:
$75.06M
Starring
Tom Hanks
Actor
Julia Roberts
Actor
Sarah Mahoney
Actor
Awards
3 nominations total
Key opinion
Larry Crowne is a polarizing, lighthearted drama that divides viewers between those who appreciate its gentle, optimistic tone and those who find its depiction of serious themes like unemployment overly simplistic and detached from reality. While critics often dismiss the film as a naive vanity project, many audience members find it to be a charming, feel-good experience bolstered by the reliable screen presence of Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts.
| Acting | The lead performances by Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts are viewed as the primary attraction, though some find their onscreen chemistry unconvincing. | |
| Theme | The film’s optimistic and simplistic handling of serious societal issues like economic hardship and unemployment is criticized for lacking depth and realism. | |
| Screenplay | The narrative follows a predictable, formulaic rom-com structure that offers comfort to some viewers but feels empty and lacking in tension to others. | |
| Direction | Tom Hanks' direction creates a gentle, pleasant atmosphere that effectively serves as a relaxing, life-affirming experience for the target audience. | |
| Pacing | The film’s leisurely tempo is appreciated by those seeking a low-stakes, feel-good story, while others perceive it as slow and lacking necessary narrative momentum. |