"No, I'm Steve Dibiasi!"
Tom Hanks co-wrote Larry Crowne, his second film as director, with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding), producing a very average, pleasant, actor-centred and acceptably entertaining script which is raised by the quality of the performances. Hanks is cast perfectly in his Everyman persona - even his character name is bland and unmemorable, so that the nickname he is given shows his journey towards a personality - and his 'final exam' speech hits home superbly. Julia Roberts imbues her predictably-written character (borderline alcoholic, disillusioned community college teacher with a feckless husband) with effective depth and tired regret. Other highlights include George Takei's monstrous lecturer, Gugu Mbatha-Raw lighting up the screen with a very fresh performance as Larry's scooter-buddy Talia, and Rami Malek hilariously stealing every scene in which he appears as fellow student Steve. James Newton Howard provides a mellow, 80s-tinged score which, like the film as a whole, does its job well enough but does little to excite or intrigue.
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