Last Chance Harvey (2008)

70% of critics liked it
(152 reviews)
52% of users liked it
(26,725 ratings)

A disastrous trip to London proves to have a silver lining for a middle-aged American jingle writer in this romantic slice-of-life drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Harvey (Hoffman) is about to lose his unfulfilling dead-end job writing jingles when he boards a plane to attend his… More A disastrous trip to London proves to have a silver lining for a middle-aged American jingle writer in this romantic slice-of-life drama starring Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. Harvey (Hoffman) is about to lose his unfulfilling dead-end job writing jingles when he boards a plane to attend his daughter's wedding in London. He hasn't turned out a memorable tune in some time, and should Harvey fail to come up with something catchy during his trip overseas, he knows that his boss (Richard Schiff) is ready and willing to let him go. Upon arriving in London, Harvey is devastated to learn that his daughter (Liane Balaban) has opted to have her stepfather (James Brolin) walk her down the aisle instead of him. And things are about to get worse, too. Harvey realizes that he won't be able to suppress his sadness through the whole reception, and makes a quick getaway in hopes of catching a plane back home. Perhaps if he can attend an important meeting on Monday morning, his boss will have some sympathy and grant him a momentary reprieve. No such luck, however, because when Harvey misses the flight and calls his boss to explain, he is fired over the phone. Later, at the airport bar, Harvey is drowning his sorrows when he strikes up a conversation with no-nonsense Office of National Statistics employee Kate (Thompson). Kate doesn't have much of a social life; most of her time outside of work is spent suffocating under the love of her smothering mother (Eileen Atkins). She's just gotten through a humiliating string of blind dates, and something about Harvey's situation and demeanor strikes a sympathetic chord in the lonely civil servant. Likewise, Kate's intelligence and compassion prove unexpectedly invigorating to Harvey. Both Harvey and Kate had always assumed that love had passed them by -- could this middle-aged romance be the glimmer of a new beginning? ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 32 min.
Directed By: Joel Hopkins
Written By: Joel Hopkins
Genres: Drama, Romance

In Theaters: Jan 16, 2009 Wide
On DVD: May 5, 2009
Studio: Overture Films

Critic Reviews

Peter Rainer, Christian Science Monitor
All this gloomy masochism is made palatable because of the performers. And yet we must ask: Is this any way to show off two of our finest actors?
Ben Mankiewicz, At the Movies
These two actors are so strong that in the end we are left with a sweet and a tender movie.
Ben Lyons, At the Movies
Sure, it's predictable at times, and maybe even a little sappy, but overall it's a sweet movie about genuine human emotion.
Linda Barnard, Toronto Star
Watching Hoffman and Thompson tentatively discover each other is joyously tender.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
What's in it for Emma? And the answer is ... not much.
Betsy Sharkey, Los Angeles Times
Just about everything works in this small and surprisingly hopeful film, with beautifully attenuated performances by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, who slip into the characters Hopkins has sewn for them like an old sweater.
Neil Pond, American Profile
To fully appreciate it, you need to be on playing-field level with Harvey and Kate. You need some miles on the love odometer.
Emanuel Levy, EmanuelLevy.Com
Decently avted by Hoffman and Thompson, this is a middlebrow, TV-like melodrama that goes out of its way to show the possibility of new romances and new beginnings at any age.
Pablo Villaca, Cinema em Cena
Acaba conquistando graças à doçura de sua história e, principalmente, em função do carisma e do talento de seus sempre admiráveis protagonistas.
Charles Gant, Heat Magazine
They don't often make romances like this, so tell your mum - or granny!
Caroline Jowett, Daily Express
A delightful confection that leaves you with a great big smile of contentment.
Derek Malcolm, This is London
The problem lies in a sloppy screenplay and direction that's too slick to be credible. Added to that, while Thompson often makes acting look natural, Hoffman these days makes natural look like acting.
Anna Smith, Empire Magazine
Undemanding, observant and beautifully performed, this is Richard Curtis-lite with added reassurance: no challenging questions here.
Tom Huddlestone, Time Out
Nimble dialogue, a brace of insightful moments and a slightly chocolate-box view of our city, lend 'Last Chance Harvey' a warmth and wisdom which outshine the more timeworn elements of the screenplay.
Stella Papamichael, Film4
Hoffman and Thompson prove you can never be too old to make memories and their romance is certainly one to remember.
Wendy Ide, Times [UK]
Watching them dance effortlessly through this film is a reminder that two actors at the absolute top of their game can weave magic even in a slightly predictable example of a wholly formulaic genre.
Peter Bradshaw, Guardian [UK]
This bittersweet, autumnal heartwarmer about two middle-aged people getting a last chance at love and happiness exceeded my personal tolerance factor for gloop and gush - but not by too much.
Tim Robey, Daily Telegraph
Last Chance Harvey is a funny little thing - a perfectly sincere July-to-September romance with barely an ounce of irony in its DNA, just a lot of optimism and good-humoured smiling. It's refreshing, in its unforced way.
James Bramble, Little White Lies
But while the film tilts progressively further towards the chick-flick (most notably with a cliché-of-clichés trying-on-dresses-to-music scene), some witty moments make this a high-living title in a low-rent market.
Ben Rawson-Jones, Digital Spy
Last Chance Harvey deserves supreme praise for being a vessel that allows cinemagoers to bask in two wonderful turns by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson.

Read all 22 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

moon r

Two of life's failures, convincingly portrayed by Hoffman and Thompson, collide in London to discover that perhaps they aren't such consummate failures after all. An actor's showcase, the leads are the workhorses that really sell this little intimate film about two… More
Two of life's failures, convincingly portrayed by Hoffman and Thompson, collide in London to discover that perhaps they aren't such consummate failures after all. An actor's showcase, the leads are the workhorses that really sell this little intimate film about two people who are at the party but somehow not in it.
Josh M

Last Chance Harvey is a charming, highly predictable, and impeccably acted vehicle for the charisma and chemistry of Hoffman and Thompson. Almost every scene rings truly to life, with a wry and melancholy empathy. A sixty-ish man facing total family and career meltdown, and a… More
Last Chance Harvey is a charming, highly predictable, and impeccably acted vehicle for the charisma and chemistry of Hoffman and Thompson. Almost every scene rings truly to life, with a wry and melancholy empathy. A sixty-ish man facing total family and career meltdown, and a fifty-something old maid who has given up on love is NOT promising fare for a wide, multi-generational audience. This film will likely only appeal to viewers who have need of progressive lenses. However, the sunny sincerity and touching human moments make this film work - mostly. Viewers will need to come to the film with modest expectations - it's a comedy with very few laughs (instead it provides mostly wistful smiles), and a romantic film with no sex or even sexual tension. On the negative side, this film feels like it should have ended at the one hour mark when the family is reconciled at the wedding reception. It takes some artificial, convenient plot points like apparent heart attacks to stretch out the last half hour to any kind of complete film experience. This film is worth seeing for the performances of Hoffman and Thompson and the sensitive and well observed 'slice of life' writing. .
Fernando Rafael Q

I actually thought this was going to be a very light, breezy comedy in the vein of Nancy Meyers, so imagine the disappointment when I find Last Chance Harvey is incredibly uncomfortable. Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey, a loser who's ignored and pushed aside at work and by his… More
I actually thought this was going to be a very light, breezy comedy in the vein of Nancy Meyers, so imagine the disappointment when I find Last Chance Harvey is incredibly uncomfortable. Dustin Hoffman plays Harvey, a loser who's ignored and pushed aside at work and by his family, but he's a loser you can't root for or empathize with since he's so bitter and obnoxious. You even start to wonder if the world is just punishing him for his terrible attitude. But director and writer Joel Hopkins is a clever guy. As soon as Emma Thompson enters the picture (literally), everything changes. The mood's lighter, funnier, warmer. That's certainly a nice touch that mirrors all that Harvey feels upon meeting Kate. Last Chance Harvey also has a fantastic script and two incredible actors in the lead roles. Thompson is such an illuminating presence. I am a little biased, though; she reminds me of my mother. Hoffman's wedding speech is one of the most touching scenes I've seen in a long time. Eileen Atkins and Bronagh Gallagher are great in bit parts that offer comic relief.
Anthony L

At times it does start to feel like Last Chance Harvey is going to go over well charted territory and straight into cliche but it just manages to pull itself away. That and the fact its two main stars are Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson make it an instantly likable film. Likable… More
At times it does start to feel like Last Chance Harvey is going to go over well charted territory and straight into cliche but it just manages to pull itself away. That and the fact its two main stars are Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson make it an instantly likable film. Likable but not amazing. I did find myself screaming at the TV a couple of times but it was mainly down to the terrible continuity. As they are walking along the river, they keep doubling back, one step forward, 50 steps back, surely even someone who is unfamiliar with London can see that, oh and Paddington station to the Southbank on foot does not take 5 minutes!!!! Rant over, this is a very sweet film that is worth checking out.
E.J. B

Stories like this can only play out in the movies. A man goes through a life changing experience, finds love, and rights all his wrongs in the span of a few days. The plot contrivances are aplenty. But the movie isn't so bad, because Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson give two… More
Stories like this can only play out in the movies. A man goes through a life changing experience, finds love, and rights all his wrongs in the span of a few days. The plot contrivances are aplenty. But the movie isn't so bad, because Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson give two wonderful performances that only they could give. Before Sunrise this isn't, but it's a nice, sweet, harmlessly feel good movie that's as pleasant as afternoon tea.
Film C

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it was refreshing to see a romantic comedy that was actually funny and an older maturer but gorgeous leading actors! This movie is sweet, cute, heartwarming and a feel good movie that i just loved and couldnt fault! Both unlucky in love they come… More
I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, it was refreshing to see a romantic comedy that was actually funny and an older maturer but gorgeous leading actors! This movie is sweet, cute, heartwarming and a feel good movie that i just loved and couldnt fault! Both unlucky in love they come together and make the perfect and wonderful friendship/ relationship possible! It has a great spporting cast with a load of fimilar faces turning up! I really enoyed this movie and would recommend it!
familiar s

Would a woman (apparently in her thirties or forties) find it okay if a stranger (who is a father of a daughter who is getting married) tries to be pushy & nosy? Would she feel it okay if he follows her around? Would she easily grant him the permission to let him walk her to her… More
Would a woman (apparently in her thirties or forties) find it okay if a stranger (who is a father of a daughter who is getting married) tries to be pushy & nosy? Would she feel it okay if he follows her around? Would she easily grant him the permission to let him walk her to her classes (at the most, she says, "I might get the wrong impression.")? Wouldn't she mind if he insists on waiting outside till her classes are over? Is it possible that she agrees to join a stranger whom she's just met to her daughter's reception party? Come to think of all these, it's all more or less possible. After all, it's a strange world we live in!!! However, I simply found it all hard to believe the way it's all presented in the movie. For once, I couldn't get over the fact that it's a work of fiction & everything isn't supposed to be quite logical. And such things usually happen with me when the movie fails somewhere to hold my interest & isn't working for me. Besides, Harvey's character is developed in a way that I could care less if his daughter thinks less of him or if he loses his job (well, what do you expect if you constantly keep getting on your senior's nerves??) or gets ditched by his new-found love. Performances were great, especially Emma Thompson's, but the screenplay lacked meat enough to satisfy my requirements for an above-average entertaining fare.
Leigh R

Totally cute.
paul s

A simple, cliche film that rises above its material by finding a voice and staying within that voice, aided by the two leads who, quite frankly, were the only reasons for my wanting to view it in the first place. Hoffman and Thompson fail to dissapoint. Emma has this incredible… More
A simple, cliche film that rises above its material by finding a voice and staying within that voice, aided by the two leads who, quite frankly, were the only reasons for my wanting to view it in the first place. Hoffman and Thompson fail to dissapoint. Emma has this incredible knack to "be" in just about any role thrown at her - she's just so natural that it doesn't seem like acting at all. There is good chemistry between she and Hoffman, all the stutters and stops, uncertainties and bewilderment can be maddening; but it is oh so real. Like the blind date scene where there simply isn't a connection and Emma has nothing really to say, so she just smiles her enigmatic smile, withdrawing into herself as her date interacts with some chums. This scene is a nice comparrison to the later scenes with Hoffman that start out at a guarded pitch, but then soon thaw to a lyric and rhythm where it's obvious that they connect. What keeps this film from really soaring are the reliance on contrivence and cliche - the "meet me here tommorrow at noon", while lovely, has been just about done to death - not that this film doesn't do an admirable job in its execution. That and the Marriott having BOTH elevators non functioning at the same time, forcing Hoffman to use the stairs where his arhythmia kicks in, forcing him to miss his rendevous, is just too convienient. That aside, when the two are on screen together, the film sizzles with possibilities and makes you truly want to root for them to work things out. The tag ending as the credit rolls is very cute as well, tying in the marginal side story of Emmma's mother into a reflection of her own process of stepping out of her shell to take a chance on love and life.
♥˩ƳИИ &

Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins New Yorker Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter's wedding but… More
Dustin Hoffman, Emma Thompson, Eileen Atkins New Yorker Harvey Shine is on the verge of losing his dead-end job as a jingle writer. Warned by his boss that he has just one more chance to deliver, Harvey goes to London for a weekend to attend his daughter's wedding but promises to be back on Monday morning to make an important meeting--or else. Harvey arrives in London only to learn his daughter has chosen to have her stepfather walk her down the aisle instead of him. Doing his best to hide his devastation, he leaves the wedding before the reception in hopes of getting to the airport on time, but misses his plane anyway. When he calls his boss to explain, he is fired on the spot. Drowning his sorrows at the airport bar, Harvey strikes up a conversation with Kate, a slightly prickly, 40-something employee of the Office of National Statistics. Kate, whose life is limited to work, the occasional humiliating blind date and endless phone calls from her smothering mother, is touched by Harvey, who finds himself energized by her intelligence and compassion. The growing connection between the pair inspires both as they unexpectedly transform one another's lives. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Cute movie. Just shows you that you can find love at any age. Never to old to fall in love. Thought Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson had great chemistry. A great love story.
Red L

An untypical movie. A movie about love where the characters are mature. Both Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are great in this movie. Of course this is just the movies. How many 50-year-olds do you know who on the same day as he gets rejected by his daughter and fired from his… More
An untypical movie. A movie about love where the characters are mature. Both Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson are great in this movie. Of course this is just the movies. How many 50-year-olds do you know who on the same day as he gets rejected by his daughter and fired from his job has time to chat up a nice British woman. But it is nice to have a hopeful movie.
Nate Z

There aren't too many movies that feature a middle-aged romance. That's really the sole draw here. Harvey follows the titular dad (Dustin Hoffman) as he travels overseas to his daughter's wedding. His life is in shambles and he strikes up a friendship with a downtrodden… More
There aren't too many movies that feature a middle-aged romance. That's really the sole draw here. Harvey follows the titular dad (Dustin Hoffman) as he travels overseas to his daughter's wedding. His life is in shambles and he strikes up a friendship with a downtrodden woman (Emma Thompson) that eventually percolates into romance. The interaction between Hoffman and Thompson is relaxed and charming but the storyline is too slight and predictable. This whirlwind courtship spans one single day, so the movie feels too brief. We're just getting to know these characters and enjoying their chemistry when the movie just limps to a close. Last Chance Harvey feels less like a movie and more like the first act of a movie. The plot is predictable and hits all the resolution points it needs to, which means get ready for tear-jerking wedding toasts from men who've changed and grown wiser over the course of 24 hours. Last Chance Harvey is a mildly pleasant diversion with two talented actors making the most of a shopworn and abbreviated story. Nate's Grade: B-
Dean M

This comedy-drama-romance movie is like <i>Before Sunrise</i> for older versions. It's the American Dreamer (Dustin Hoffman) versus the self-deprecating Brit (Emma Thompson) - and they make a good pair. Hoffman is an enjoyable lead, gleaning laughs from trivial… More
This comedy-drama-romance movie is like <i>Before Sunrise</i> for older versions. It's the American Dreamer (Dustin Hoffman) versus the self-deprecating Brit (Emma Thompson) - and they make a good pair. Hoffman is an enjoyable lead, gleaning laughs from trivial misfortunes such as a security tag still attached to a suit jacket. But it's Thompson who really shines, imbuing every line with depth and pathos. A wonderfully story and a stellar cast make this film a must-see for those who like a touch of reality and heart in their drama.
Daniel P

A sweet movie that treads in an area not so commonly seen: older, unsexy people falling in love. Good acting (particularly from Dustin Hoffman, he truly disappears into his characters!) plus a cute and realistic story, and one stirring wedding speech: the recipe for a perfectly good… More
A sweet movie that treads in an area not so commonly seen: older, unsexy people falling in love. Good acting (particularly from Dustin Hoffman, he truly disappears into his characters!) plus a cute and realistic story, and one stirring wedding speech: the recipe for a perfectly good rental.
Cassie H

Alright movie I was expecting better.
Manu G

I luv it! Amazing chemistry and the music itself combine with the story is the key of the magic of love in this film, really enjoyed it alot. 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… More
I luv it! Amazing chemistry and the music itself combine with the story is the key of the magic of love in this film, really enjoyed it alot. 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.
Mason W

Last Chance Harvey starring Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson is a very lovely movie. Harvey (Hoffman) from NYC is heading over to London for his daughter's wedding. It seems that life has simply passed Harvey by and at the same time has been out of touch with his estranged ex… More
Last Chance Harvey starring Dustin Hoffman & Emma Thompson is a very lovely movie. Harvey (Hoffman) from NYC is heading over to London for his daughter's wedding. It seems that life has simply passed Harvey by and at the same time has been out of touch with his estranged ex wive and daughter. In London he meets a lonely woman named Kate (Thompson). Kate and Harvey start to have freindly banter and seem to be a good match. This is a lovely film that makes you remember that love can find you anywhere, anytime, for everyone.
jay n

Dustin and Emma exude amazing amounts of charm and star power in this sweet tale of mature attraction on the way to love.
Bruce B

Saw this on in the movie theater, It an old people love story, You have to be over 55 to enjoy this one or with your Mom and Dad who is down and broken hearted. No Tissues needed. A Rental Only.
Alice S

Romantic drama that tries too hard to be subtle, losing out on plot and character development in the process. Way too much exposition and not enough of a punch at the end. Harvey seems too forward, too overeager for a no-nonsense gal like Kate. And the medical mishap is ineffectual… More
Romantic drama that tries too hard to be subtle, losing out on plot and character development in the process. Way too much exposition and not enough of a punch at the end. Harvey seems too forward, too overeager for a no-nonsense gal like Kate. And the medical mishap is ineffectual - he's fine and they get together. Great.