January is usually one of those times when there is a lull of movies, though it doesn't help that some of them out there (even a few with good press or even an Academy Award or so under their belt) are not what I feel like watching. So, in part because the other person wanted to see it, I went to a lesser choice -- Last Chance Harvey. First off, let me say that I didn't think Dustin Hoffman is 71. That is, even if a bit of thought suggests that is about right (The Graduate is around forty years old, and he wasn't twenty back then!). Guy looks pretty good for his age, which is good, since Emma Thompson (love interest) is around fifty. So, even though there is an age difference, it is not as bothersome as it might otherwise be.
As to the movie. Didn't really care for it. Sure, I buy them as a couple, and they providing pretty good performances. Not so good material. First off, the story laid on how pathetic they both are rather thick. And, darn, if we later find out in a major way his situation isn't so pathetic. This was part of the "can't make things too unrosy plot department," aka having one's cake and eating it too. In fact, this is clearly Dustin Hoffman's film, since his story is more predominant, she serving more as a foil and plot tool. He has career, family and even health issues, she is just something of a sad sack with a lovably nutty mum. I also didn't like a late oh so obligatory plot device, one that just made me groan. Sad overall, since I wouldn't have minded these two in a romance with a serious side, since even this film was watchable. Just not that good.
Dustin's character had a rocky relationship with his daughter, so the plot needed something serious for Emma's to share to balance things off. Interestingly, especially for this blog, she let out that she once had an abortion. This fairly in passing reference to abortion is rare enough to be notable. I would add that it was obligatory that it was noted with sadness, his improved relationship with his daughter making her think "what might have been." And, abortion (the 'a' word not used) was deemed something "smart" girls did -- iow, an implication that she had one not because she wasn't really ready to have a child at the point of her life, but because she was led to do so by a stereotypical vision of being liberated. Some might say that this fit the plot etc., but the telling part is that for some reason this is the sort of reference that always seems to fit any given plot. From my vantage point at least.
Anyway, for N.Y.C. dwellers, Quantum Leap is a good vegetarian restaurant with reasonable prices. And, hey, it has fish too for those with issues with such fare.