Larry Crowne (Tom Hanks) has worked for U-Mart for ages and has won numerous "employee of the month" awards. But, things can change. Fast. One day, the U-Mart upper managers decide that, because Larry doesn't have a college diploma, he has no future in the company. Say what? Yes! Thus, he's kicked out of the biz. Being a very likable and capable guy, he tries to find another job, but, when that fails, he goes down a slow spiral. First, the bank wants their mortgage payments or else. The smarmy bank exec (Rita Wilson, Hanks wife) says "let's talk over complimentary coffee" but then lowers the boom. Desperate, Larry decides to have a huge garage sale but this upsets his neighbors (Cedric the Entertainer and Tarij P. Henson) because they operate a resale business out of their home. Thus, Larry sells his car and buys some time with a small scooter for transportation. Not knowing what else to do, he enrolls in the local community college. In an econ course, he meets the formidable Dr. Ed (George Takei) who teaches the class from the textbook he wrote himself. Worse, in an communications course, Larry comes up against a jaded, unhappily married prof, Dr. Mercedes (Julia Roberts) who would rather be teaching Shakespeare, if enough students had selected the course. But, they didn't, so she's stuck with a motley crew of speech pupils. At home, her "sit-on-my laurels" author hubby (Bryan Cranston) surfs porn all day, which makes her even more unhappy. Thus, Dr. M takes it out by being grouchy and unapproachable in class. Nevertheless, despite his age, Larry wins the affections of his young classmates, who offer him haircuts, community bike rides, and free interior decoration. Alas, Larry may still lose the house. But, with his smarts, he may succeed well in his classes AND turn Dr. Mercedies head in his direction! This is a sweet, funny movie that will please fans of light comedy and the great cast. Why it was torpedoed by the critics is a complete mystery. After all, it has a terrific cast, especially the young adults who play Larry's classmates, an intelligent script, great costumes, and a vibrant direction. What's not to love, I say!

This is, at least for me, a perfect type of HBO movie, where I just viewed it. It isn't loaded with special effects and non-stop ridiculous violence, which may be why some of the reviewers hate it. Actually, not a whole lot happens in this story of Larry Crowne, a 50 yr old ex-Navy vet who has been laid off from his retail job and decides to go attend community college. (It is hard to believe he couldn't find another retail job, but we've got to get Tom Hanks in college) Larry does seem to really find himself in college and falls in love with with his speech teacher, Julia Roberts, who is in the process of splitting with her hubby,a frustrated writer who is obsessed with ladies with large boobs. That's about it, but it's only 98 minutes of time spent, Hanks and Roberts are pleasant to watch in the type of role they can do in their sleep. As I said, not a whole lot happens but that's somewhat similar to life most the time.

The movie is unbelievable and I don't mean that in a good way. Hanks has worked 20 years at the U-Mart (Movie version of Walmart). He has been employee of the month 8 times and is a hard worker. Now he is being let go because he has no degree and won't be able to advance. Now in some professions I could see that happening, but for a guy who stocks shelves and pushes shopping carts? He also lives in a half million dollar home which is now worth less than the $392,000 he owes on it. (Where are those Walmart applications!) I understand they needed to get him into the school environment, but they could have written a real scenario and one that was funny and tied into the rest of the movie.

Tom Hanks downsizes his life and goes back to school. His Speech 217 teacher is a slightly unkempt, bored with life, Julia Roberts. She is equally bored in her marriage to a writer who spends most of his time watching porn on the Internet. (I can't believe there is porn on the Internet!) They split over an unlikely fight.

His economics class is taught by a narcissistic Mr. Sulu. His class mates consists of a number of colorful and quirky characters that make the movie more interesting than Mr. Hanks walking around with his polo shirt tucked in. He joins a bike/scooter gang whose initiation requirement is to able to snap your fingers in unison. Larry (known as Lance Corona to his female lead biker group) takes a job as a cook (a job he did in the Navy) at a diner. All the women seem to dig Larry, a middle aged man with a pouch. Some more of Hanks fantasy writing.

It is an easy to watch, feel good movie for bad economic times. Not much action or comedy. Drama is a bit weak too. A movie your kids could watch except for Julia Roberts dropping the F-bomb.

Tom Hanks needs to stay in front of the camera and not behind it.

F-bomb, no sex, no nudity. Awkward drunken screen kiss.