Last Chance Harvey

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: December 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: May 5, 2009

Plot 411: A short vacation to London turns into a life changing event.

Review: While I don't really fall into the ideal demographic for this film, I still found that it had a nice little message to take away. Harvey (Dustin Hoffman) is consumed with work and has let his relationship with his daughter slip away through the years. Now that she is getting married in London, he realizes just how distant they have become. A chance meeting with a British woman (Emma Thompson) opens Harvey's eyes and together they learn that it's never too late to begin afresh. Overall, the movie was a bit slow for me. I realize this is a character-based movie and character growth must occur, but everything was just so dull. I found the development of the relationship between Harvey and Kate (Thompson) a bit tedious. But maybe that's because most modern romances are whirlwinds. People no longer take the time to talk to each other . . . or walk. There was a lot of walking going on in this movie. Also in this movie are Eileen Atkins, Kathy Baker and James Brolin.

Watch It: If you're a bit more mature and perhaps feeling a little battered by life. This'll inspire you to take chances.

Skip It: If you don't have the patience for character building because it barely inches along in this movie.

Brideshead Revisited

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 25, 2008

DVD Release Date: January 13, 2009

Plot 411: A tale of forbidden love and lost innocence and the power of faith, fate and destiny.

Review: This film was about the eye-opening experience a middle class boy has when he goes away to Oxford. It's about the people he meets and falls in love with, the power of religion and the separation of the classes. It's difficult to describe as a whole because it's so layered. At times the movie focuses on lost innocence and this film becomes a coming of age story in the early 1900s. At other times the theme is focused tightly on class differences and the lure that aristocracy has on those who aren't born into it. Still other points of the film questions the idea of faith and religion and how it can overwhelm you if you let it become your sole focus in life. Even more powerful is the psychological analysis of how a family is affected when its matriarch is single-minded in her pursuit to teach her children religion. The family dynamic is completely strained and the children resent and almost hate their mother. She is controlling and overpowering but does it all with good intentions. Both sides suffer yet don't see that they too cause suffering in the other. In addition to all this complexity there is, of course, the wonderful English countryside and a gigantic mansion of a home. There is beautiful artwork and the costumes are really superb. Starring in this film are Matthew Goode, Ben Whishaw, Hayley Atwell, Emma Thompson and Michael Gambon.

Watch It: For a highly complex drama about friendship, love and family.

Skip It: If you're already balking at the idea of another period piece set in Britain.

Trailer:

Love Actually

Rating: R

Movie Release Date: November 7, 2003

DVD Release Date: April 27, 2004

Plot 411: A vignette of every possible situation in which love occurs.

Review: This is my all-time favorite romantic comedy because the movie touches on so many different versions and meanings of love. As in life, not every story ends happily. Some are bittersweet. Some are downright sad. It's one of the most realistic rom coms out there. Also, this movie is truly made up of an ensemble cast:

Colin Firth - His awkwardness plays well in this film and seems to be amplified somehow.
Laura Linney - She is so, so good in this film that she'll make you cry.
Hugh Grant - Despite playing the prime minister, he somehow manages to still be the same goofy guy he is in every movie. Most people would fault him for this but I adore him still.
Emma Thompson - Her storyline is difficult but there's such a great song tied to her. It's heart-wrenchingly melancholy.
Liam Neeson - He plays a single father of a child that is not his. Tough, tough role but does a great job.
Kiera Knightley - Although I don't care for her much, some of you might. The storyline involving her is so romantic and bittersweet that it breaks my heart every time I watch the movie.
Rodrigo Santoro - One word: HOT! And no, he doesn't look like he did in 300.

Watch It: For a vastly different sort of romantic comedy than you're used to.

Skip It: If multiple storylines confuse you. Everyone is related to someone else in this film.

Trailer: