Movie Monday: Larry Crowne

A little bit of a spoiler, so if you don't want any details on the movie, probably don't want to read any further.

I like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts, but I wouldn't go see a movie based solely on the fact that either of them was the star. But - when they both star in a movie - that makes a difference.

I went to see Larry Crowne expecting to see a serious, romantic drama. Sort of like Nights in Rodanthe - which was a horrible, boring movie. So I didn't have high hopes, but a friend called on a rainy day, so off I went. 

Turned out to be one of the best movies I've ever seen.

It is a drama. Larry is down on his luck, and at a turning point in his life. He's divorced without kids, lost his job, can't afford his house or his car. Since he can't find a job, he does the next best thing - he returns to school part time. 

Through a funny set of circumstances, he meets a girl who changes his life. Not just his public speaking professor, Ms. Tainot (Julia Roberts) but a scooter-riding, fashion-loving, feng shui-expert named Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw). She becomes a quick friend to Larry, changing his style, his home - even his name. 

Of course he also meets his professor, who also happens to be at a cross-roads. As the poster suggests, they meet, fall in love, yadda yadda yadda. 

The movie isn't sad, by any means. Sad things happen - but the whole movie is about finding the positive side to any change; finding a way to make the most of a new life, even if it wasn't the one you expected to find. Even finding a way to laugh at things, a little bit.

If your life has ever taken an unexpected turn, or if you've ever had to take the bad and figure out a way to turn it into good, I think you'll like the movie. You might even find it inspirational.