Larry Crowne is a 2011 romantic comedy about a middle-aged man who loses his job and starts all over.
As far as rom-coms go, Tom Hanks‘ Larry Crowne (for which he stars, writes, and directs) is pretty standard stuff, not all that challenging yet wallowing in charm, something the actor seems of unlimited supply. The movie didn’t really wow any critics and sort of came and went without much of a wiff but there is a surprising amount of replay value to the thing, perfect rainy day fluff that has just the right blend of appeal and innocence. It’s like snacking between meals with a flavored rice cake, ultimately not all that memorable but undeniably satisfying at the time.
What’s really bewildering about the results is the cast, Hanks filling the screen with a bevy of names that hadn’t quite hit main stream then but sure have now, including Bryan Cranston, Randall Park, Rob Riggle, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and none other than Rami Malek, who plays a kind of out of touch college student. That’s not to mention the big names already in the show, such as Cedric the Entertainer, Pam Grier, George Takei, and of course Julia Roberts, the main co-star and love interest.
Then there is Wilmer Valderrama, a name perhaps not quite as well known, unless you’re a fan of NCIS. He plays Dell Gordo, a goatee-wearing boyfriend of Talia (Mbatha-Raw), a spritely young woman who sweeps into the life of Larry Crowne, but not in the way you’re probably thinking.
Let’s backtrack a second. Larry used to be a big fish at a big-box store, employee of the month kind of caliber that felt secure in his work and efforts. Thing is, he doesn’t have a college education and therefore let go when layoffs come through, leaving the divorced man without many prospects. He decides to enroll in community college, meeting and falling smitten with the Public Speaking professor (Roberts). Blah, blah, blah. Let’s get to the point.
In another class, he meets Talia, who recognizes that the middle-aged man is in desperate need of a makeover, taking him on as a sort of personal project. She even invites him to join her ‘gang’ of scooter-riding friends, Larry recently having bought one second hand. It’s all very innocent and light with Larry never once feeling the young beauty would have any interest in him. Which is smart ’cause she doesn’t. She’s just one of those really affectionate people. You just want to hug her.
Okay, back to Gordo. He knows that about Talia, realizes that she’s a rare thing, her warmth and adoration for others a possible trap for those beguiled by her looks and personality. No doubt, she’s broken a few hearts, or at least left many wanting more. However, it looks like true love with Gordo. And he wants everyone to know it.
So, skip ahead a bit and now Talia, Gordo and a few others from the gang are in Larry’s house, giving him the whole redo blitz, styling his hair and feng-shui-ing the bejeezus out of his digs. When it’s over, he’s a whole new man and Talia is naturally happy. She gives him a confidence boosting kiss and assures him he is a better man than he thinks. It’s a nice moment.
Enter Gordo, who sees the whole thing and now is face-to-face alone with Larry. He has a few choice words. He tells Larry that a lot of people fall in love with Talia and maybe guesses Larry himself might have, too. He goes on to remind Crowne that well, Gordo loves her the ‘mostes’ and he should know that right now, his face getting all serious-like.
Then he gets surprising. Where it looks like some threats and machismo are going to bumble up the works, Gordo flips it around and instead creates a little moment of bonding that is well, really rewarding. I won’t spoil what that is, but pay attention to the great work from Valderrama, who is utterly disarming. He absolutely steals every scene he is in and full on owns the movie right here. I love what he does with this little gem of a scene, doing things with his eyes and posture that click with great satisfaction. You can’t get better than this in winning over an audience. It’s a great character moment.