It’s only fitting that Tom Hanks is the titular character in “Larry Crowne,” seeing how the movie is nearly his own one-man show.
This is so because, in addition to being the star, Hanks is the director, co-producer and co-writer. He is also quite possibly the key grip and lighting technician, but I’m not sure.
“Larry Crowne” is a light comic soufflé, somewhat akin to a television sitcom, possibly as a result of script collaboration with co-writer Nia Vardalos, of “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” fame.
For a story that involves its central character getting cashiered from his middle-level management post at a big-box store, “Larry Crowne” is surprisingly upbeat and almost cheerful in the face of such adversity.
Of course, Tom Hanks is always suited to the role of an Everyman, in this case one middle-aged Larry Crowne, recently divorced and one missed mortgage payment away from foreclosure.
On a sunny morning at a bland suburban location, Larry shows up for work as his usual chirpy self, expecting that he may likely be once again the company’s employee of the month.
To his shock and dismay, Larry learns that his bosses have decided to fire him because he lacks a college education. His service in the U.S. Navy just doesn’t cut it in the big-box retailing world.
After a fruitless search for a new job, Larry decides to enroll at the local community college. The economics class is taught by a weird professor (George Takei in a truly wacky, funny performance).
The far more challenging class is the one on public speaking, taught by the nonchalant Mercedes Tainot (Julia Roberts), who has a less than positive attitude about her job and her pupils.
For obvious reasons, the story gets caught up in the tawdry details of Mercedes’ personal life. If only for the moment, the professor is stuck in a crumbling marriage.
Coming home from another day of educational drudgery, Mercedes finds that her husband (Bryan Cranston), once a respected author, is more interested in spending time on the Internet in search of porn.
Meanwhile, as his financial situation deteriorates, Larry shuns his SUV in favor of a motor scooter to commute to school. This leads him to fall in with a group of like-minded scooter enthusiasts.
The affable Larry is soon caught up in a flirtatious relationship with pretty, spirited Talia (Gugu Mbatha-Raw), leader of the motorbike crew, much to the dismay of her jealous boyfriend Dell (Wilmer Valderrama).
In relatively short order, Talia brings a much-needed makeover to the staid Larry, changing his entire wardrobe, bringing feng shui to his house and renaming him with the hipster moniker of “Lance Corona.”
While this innocent flirtation between Larry and Talia is diverting, the real chemistry heats up when Mercedes takes greater notice of her best student.
It all begins in a moment of weakness after Mercedes has had one too many drinks. Seeking to cope with myriad problems, the hard-drinking professor has an affinity for margaritas and a sudden hankering for her mature pupil.
Henceforth, the storyline of “Larry Crowne” inhabits a rather obvious direction that one would expect from an easily predictable romantic comedy.
Though “Larry Crowne” is a modest confection, it is one that is entirely satisfying because the amiable Hanks and the charismatic Roberts are eminently watchable and enjoyable together.
DVD RELEASE UPDATE
I’ve mentioned it before that the detective TV series “Mannix” was always one of the best shows of its genre.
The release of “Mannix: Season Five” is further proof that my assessment stands the test of time. Mike Connors, in the role of the hard-boiled and gritty private eye, continued to succeed in bringing excitement to his role of Joe Mannix.
“Mannix: Season Five” includes all 24 action-packed episodes. So far, I have watched about a half-dozen of the episodes, and I can say they are as good as any from the previous four seasons.
Like many TV detectives, Mannix defied the rules and regulations and was able to handle all the fist fights, high-speed car chases and bullet wounds that came his way.
Yet, Mike Connors was unlike many of his peers, because he truly delivered the goods in great style. “Mannix: Season Five” is a must for those who love the adventures of a tough and cynical private investigator.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.
MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Auditions for this year’s annual Renaissance Christmas Pageant & Feast will be held at the Methodist Church on Armstrong street in Middletown on Saturday, July 23, at 11 a.m.
This will be the 18th year of the pageant, which is held the first two weeks of December every year.
They need singers, dancers, actors, musicians, jugglers and magicians.
This is interactive theater-in-the-round, and is a magical Christmas experience attended by theater-goers from all over California and beyond.
For the audition, singers will be singing a capella (without accompaniment) in four- to eight-part harmony, and will be expected to sing an a capella solo and be able to show an ability to harmonize.
A photo and theater resumé will be helpful but not required.
For more information call Claudia Listman at 707-350-4016 or e-mail claudja1@gmail.
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – Second Sunday Cinema will feature two films on health and host a local alternative medicine practitioner when it meets on Sunday, July 10.
The films will be shown at Clearlake United Methodist Church, 14521 Pearl Ave. in Clearlake.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The films will start at 6 p.m.
“The Life of Rife” describes a nontoxic procedure to harmlessly destroy pathogens and harmonize the human system.
Royal Rife, an American scientist, invented one of the world’s strongest microscopes. Then he created a radio frequency machine that destroyed specific problematic microorganisms without harming the host’s cells or anything else. The film shows a "germ" explode when exposed to the appropriate frequency. The film runs one hour.
In “In The School” views will meet the students and founder of the Tekos School in Russia, which achieves impressive results using a holistic approach to education.
It fully empowers students to take responsibility for their education, freeing the inherent genius (and happiness) of each. The film lasts half an hour.
Follows the films, naturopathic doctor will speak on his practice of naturopathy, which takes the way of nature, using herbal, nutritional, homeopathic and lifestyle measures to strengthen the body's innate ability to heal.
LOWER LAKE, Calif. – The second of a three-part summer concert series opens with Blue Collar and the Fargo Brothers at the Tuscan Village in Lower Lake on Saturday, July 30.
“Blue Collar,” a five-member acoustic band known for its blend of American Roots music features original works by Carl Stewart, who was formerly signed to Warner Brothers. He is the lead singer, guitar and harmonica player for the band.
Bill MacDougall plays bass and brings his experience in all styles of music to the group. He has written and performed his own original music and has recorded a solo CD – “Trickle Creek Sessions.”
Bill Bordisso plays accordion, banjo, percussion and vocals. He teaches guitar, saxophone and voice, and has performed at San Francisco’s Cow Palace and with many professional bands throughout California.
Clovice Lewis plays the cello and is a noted composer, teacher, a member of the Ukiah Symphony, the CLPA Lake County Symphony and a former professor of computer music. He has performed with numerous groups throughout California.
Sue Condit plays violin, mandolin, percussion and vocals. She has performed in bands, musicals and singing groups throughout California. She directs the CLPA Youth Orchestra and is a member of the CLPA Lake County Symphony and Konocti Fiddle Club.
The Fargo Brothers is a four-member group that offers a mixture of originals and cover tunes in a blues, root rock and Americana style. Since 1979 they have played over four thousand live shows from California to the Canadian Border. They are known for their vocal harmonies and tight ensemble playing.
Michael Lester Adams is the group’s composer and plays guitar and vocals. Other members are Russ Whitehead, bass, vocals; Joost Vonk, drums, vocals; and Mojo Larry Platz, guitars, vocals.
The final concert of the series is on August 20 and will feature Blue Collar and Twice as Good.
Cactus Grill and Terrill Cellars Winery will be on the premises for food and wine purchase. All concerts start at 6 p.m. Cost of admission is $10 at the door.
Ted Kooser, US Poet Laureate from 2004 to 2006. Photo by UNL Publications and Photography.
Some of us have more active fantasy lives than others, but all of us have them. Here Karin Gottshall, who lives in Vermont, shares a variety of loneliness that some of our readers may have experienced.
More Lies
Sometimes I say I’m going to meet my sister at the café—
even though I have no sister—just because it’s such
a beautiful thing to say. I’ve always thought so, ever since
I read a novel in which two sisters were constantly meeting
in cafés. Today, for example, I walked alone
on the wet sidewalk, wearing my rain boots, expecting
someone might ask where I was headed. I bought
a steno pad and a watch battery, the store windows
fogged up. Rain in April is a kind of promise, and it costs
nothing. I carried a bag of books to the café and ordered
tea. I like a place that’s lit by lamps. I like a place
where you can hear people talk about small things,
like the difference between azure and cerulean,
and the price of tulips. It’s going down. I watched
someone who could be my sister walk in, shaking the rain
from her hair. I thought, even now florists are filling
their coolers with tulips, five dollars a bundle. All over
the city there are sisters. Any one of them could be mine.
How to resolve AdBlock issue? 
