Larry Crowne - 3 smiles

I don’t care if the critics don’t like “Larry Crowne,” starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. It’s a light, fluffy romantic comedy with two genuinely likable leads, a solid story and no car crashes and special effects. And although the story is pretty predictable, it still works because we care about the people in this movie. The story opens with perennial Employee of the Month, Larry Crowne (Hanks), being laid off because he lacks a post-high school education. Now, unable to make the monthly payments for a house that’s worth less than the mortgage, Larry walks away from the house and decides to enroll in the local community college. One course he takes is a public speaking class, taught by Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), who is disillusioned about her profession and her marriage. It’s obvious that Larry and Mercedes will become attracted to each other and their interaction in each other’s lives will have beneficial effects. For Larry, there’s another source of inspiration. A student in his Economics 1 class (taught by George Takei), Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), introduces him to her scooter friends (a group of student who commute to college on motor scooters). The openness and friendship of this group enriches Larry’s life and allows him to excel in Mrs. Tainot’s class.

The relationship that develops between Larry and Mercedes is gradual and tentative, adding a bit of realism to this rom-com. Thankfully, the script, co-written by Hanks and Nia Vardalos, doesn’t insert an artificial conflict, such as Larry’s wife returning or Mercedes’ good-for-nothing husband getting a personality transplant. The secondary characters are interesting, but, with the exception of Talia, aren’t given enough time to develop. Cedric the Entertainer has little to do other than play the supportive neighbor because his character has little to do with the main narrative. Same with Wilmer Valderrama, who plays Talia’s boyfriend. He gets in a few glowering looks at Larry, but not much screen time. You can’t call “Larry Crowne” an edgy comedy, but it has a heart. Clearly, there can be brighter days after losing a wife, a job, and a house. It’s a gratifying story that leaves you feeling good as the credits roll. And, to top it off, you don’t have to pay for and wear those yucky 3D glasses to enjoy “Larry Crowne.” 7/3/11