Larry Crowne **½

Tom Hanks co-wrote, directed and stars in this Comedy/Drama. Watch Preview Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier, Rami Malek, George Takei, Grace Gummer, Rita Wilson, Jon Seda. Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual content. Running time is one hour and thirty-nine minutes.

A dramatic comedy about how the hard knocks from today's recession inspire one everyday guy to undergo a personal reinvention. He goes back to school, meets a hot teacher, and since he's divorced and she will be shortly, nature takes over.

This is an amiable film with actors we enjoy in a lightweight plot leading to an obvious conclusion.  It's a pleasant way to spend an hour and a half but you'll forget about it almost as soon as you're out the door. Hanks and Roberts are as good as you expect them to be. Mbatha-Raw (she starred in Undercovers) and Valderrama (you'll hardly recognize him as Fes from The 70's Show) make a nice support team. Women will find the romance more attractive than will men but it is a good date movie although I think it will appeal more to older audiences..Any size screen will do. Theatres/Times.