‘Larry Crowne’ a timely film

As far as Tom Hanks films go, “Larry Crowne” is certainly not “Forrest Gump.” But at least it’s not “The Da Vinci Code.” “Larry Crowne”

Starring: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts

Director: Tom Hanks

Studio: Universal Pictures

Grade: B

As far as Tom Hanks films go, “Larry Crowne” is certainly not “Forrest Gump.” But at least it’s not “The Da Vinci Code.”

“Larry Crowne,” directed and co-written by Hanks, explores the crisis of a modern-day American man who is unemployed and in debt.

When Larry Crowne (Hanks) gets called to the rest area of his workplace on “Employee of the Month Day,” he does not expect to lose his job. Having won the award nine times previously, the store clerk expects fresh accolades. Instead loses his job because he doesn’t hold a college degree.

The character has a sort of naiveté, and faced with unexpected difficulties, he turns things around in an assuring, but also unrealistic, fashion.

Larry decides his only option is finally to acquire some form of higher education in order to avoid any sort of job loss in the future. He finds his answer at the local community college where he enrolls in a few basic courses. Larry’s speech class is taught by Miss Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), a cynical professor whose only wishes are for a full classroom of interested students and a husband who does not obsessively view pornography.

Roberts’ character plays a vital part as a parallel to Crowne. Her own dilemma over her miserable life pushes her to a life reassessment and divorce, making her an ideal mate for Crowne.

Miss Tainot’s class, along with Larry’s new friend Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), aid his radical transformation from an overzealous store team leader to a trendy, scooter-riding student. While Miss Tainot provides the knowledge for Crowne’s academic success, free-spirited Talia concocts an image for the protagonist that makes him look like a middle-aged hipster.

But this change is unbelievable and overwrought, and perhaps that adds some of the humor to the plot.

Miss Tainot’s class acts as the initial point of growth for both characters. The two adults are in the midst of somewhat tragic mid-life crises and find comfort in each other throughout the movie.

Many audience members will be able to relate, regardless of age, with Crowne’s struggle to gain the confidence needed to reinvent himself.

Crowne’s first collegiate experience is full of humor. His serious economics professor, Dr. Matsutani (George Takei), often takes Crowne’s cell phone during class because of his blatant texting.

His fellow classmates in Miss Tainot’s speech course resemble those in a normal college class. One student, who can hardly pronounce his professor’s name let alone develop a well-versed speech, asks for the course name on the first day of class, cementing his role as the class imbecile.

Though Crowne’s economic struggles makes the movie timely, the typical aspects of a romantic comedy flourish, making the relationships between characters cheesy.

Still, despite the pitfalls of a romantic comedy, both Hanks and Roberts hold the movie together with their acting talents, making the film enjoyable and worth seeing. Because of them, the movie’s less attractive qualities are covered up with the genuine humor that each actor portrays through his character.

The final scenes of the film include an off-topic speech and a closing kiss that is common to many romantic comedies. Hanks’ new film will not fully impress the audience, though it might leave unemployed viewers with the hopes of an affair with an attractive college professor.