Though winter along our gravel road has been long, snowy and cold, it does come with a few perks. One of my favs, and Hiram’s too, is more evenings at home for watching movies. Last week, I picked up two flicks at the library. The first, Marley and Me, was okay but not nearly as good as the book that inspired it.
But the second movie, Second Chance Harvey, which I chose soley because the leads were played by Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, was an absolute gem. The film was the story of two losers. Hoffman’s character was washed up, divorced commercial jingle writer who traveled to London for his daughter’s wedding. Thompson played a lonely, single woman on the verge of middle age, the only child of an overly possessive and kooky mother.
The two meet by chance in Heathrow airport and the movie details the gradual unfolding of their relationship and the healing of their hearts. Hoffman and Thompson’s performances are quiet and nuanced, achingly sweet. The characters are rumpled and real, with graying hair, crows’ feet, and poochy stomachs. Maybe I’d never heard of it because the general public found the movie dull. After all, it’s devoid of sex, foul language, women dressed as sex objects, violence, car chases, guns, and bullets. For the life of me, I can’t figure out why it has a PG-13 rating.
But don’t get the idea this is a chick flick. Hiram loved it and keeps asking what good movie we should watch next. And therein lies the problem. Second Chance Harvey was so good, I’m not sure it can be topped.
So if you have any suggestions about what we should watch this Valentine’s weekend, with another snowstorm on the way, please let me know. My recommendation to you is easy: Second Chance Harvey with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson. It’s a winner.
