Why the premise of Larry Crowne doesn't grab me

I spent some time trying to figure out what would motivate me to want to see the latest from Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts. I like both of them as actors and it's always refreshing to see a good comedy. However, the operative word is GOOD.

I'd seen so many promos for Larry Crowne before all of the disasterous reviews began to rain down in buckets that I could probably repeat the trailers and ads word-for-word. At this point I have to say the opening of the trailer turned me off immediately.

Hanks' character is a valued employee for nine years. Heck, he snags the employee award every one of those years. Then he's fired because he doesn't have a college degree? It just doesn't make sense. I can see something happening that gets him fired, but if he was so valued would the company make no effort whatsoever to keep him on board? What does this say? That someone who is excellent at their job doesn't deserve to keep it without having the academic endorsement?

And the bit with the scooter. How has he been getting to work for all of those nine years? Does he not have two nickles to rub together and no credit whatsoever and therefore is forced to ride a garage sale scooter? Sorry, it doesn't fly for me.

Now if he had labored at the same job for nine years, giving it his all, and he is finally fed up with earning chicken feed while the bosses get fat, that might be a beginning. Maybe this honest guy suddenly isn't so honest, gets caught and gets fired. Now he's out in the cruel world, and that world has changed in the last nine years. He's been living it to the max with credit card payments and car payments he can no longer hack. The car is repossessed, he moves into a tiny apartment and realizes he has to get more education to land a job. The story unfolds from there.

That is an example of a scenario I could believe. Many people are tempted to go to the "sort of dark side." Of those that do, many get caught and pay the consequences. It could be funny, and it is only one possibility for a story line.

I guess I wasn't the only one who felt that way judging by the dismal boxoffice reports. What a shame to waste talent like Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts on something like this. I might watch it when it gets to DVD just to see what happens after the contrived opening, but I can't see myself shelling out up to $12 dollars to see it.

On the other hand, take something like Midnight in Paris, Woody Allen's latest. Brilliant writing, brilliant acting, totally entertaining. I'd rather pay the same $12 to see that movie a second time.

Well, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

Have a great weekend.

MORGAN ST. JAMES
www.morganstjames-author.com

Woody Allen is back with a great new movie

Over the weekend I saw Midnight in Paris. I've been a Woody Allen fan for years, and my husband went to school with him, so seeing this film was a natural. It didn't disappoint.

We were enthralled from the first scene through the last, and so was the audience. As one would expect from an Allen movie the direction was perfect. Owen Wilson, in particular, was a standout. Okay, he is the star, but Wilson played his character so well we were with him every step of the way. Until the last line in the movie, you don't know if it is his imagination or not propelling him back in time. The celebrities he meets all pull it off in such a casual manner, it could be real---but is it?

Wilson has had his share of bad parts in recent years, and this one should put him back in the star ranking. I can't think of anyone who could have done it better.

The Paris scenery is captivating, and for anyone who has been to Paris it is right on. I enjoyed memories of walking the Champs Ellysees, eating mousse at a sidewalk cafe and just being immersed in the experience that is Paris. A quick flash of the Arc du Triomphe reminded me of the time I climbed to the top via a winding staircase comprised of what seemed like 500 stairs. I was panicked, wondering how I would get down when the person I was with, a fellow who was familiar with Paris, admitted that he'd played a trick on me and there was an elevator.

The story unfolds beautifully to a somewhat predictable conclusion. I highly recommend this movie because Woody Allen can still make a film that transports you to the world he creates. Allen doesn't need high tech devices and so many special effects the story gets lost in the process. All he needs is a good story, skilled actors and his superb direction.