Larry Crowne (11/15/2011)

Rated PG-13 for brief strong language and some sexual content.

Starring Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts

Directed by Tom Hanks (Band of Brothers, From the Earth to the Moon, That Thing You Do!)

First things first…Tom Hanks is amazing!! And since he wrote, directed and starred in Larry Crowne…this movie is pretty amazing too.

Until he was downsized, affable, amiable Larry Crowne (Hanks) was a superstar team leader at the big-box company where he’s worked since his time in the Navy. Underwater on his mortgage and unclear on what to do with his suddenly free days, Larry heads to his local college to start over. There he becomes part of a colorful community of outcasts all trying to find a better future for themselves…often moving around town in a herd of scooters. In his public-speaking class, Larry develops an unexpected crush on his teacher Mercedes Tainot (Roberts), who has lost as much passion for teaching as she has for her husband. The simple guy who has every reason to think his life has stalled will come to learn an unexpected lesson: when you think everything worth having has passed you by, you just might discover your reason to live.

You’ve heard the phrase “feel good movie”…well Larry Crowne is a true feel good movie. Even when the subject matter is dark or depressing, the humor is quick to return. The truth is a lot of people are finding themselves in Larry’s situation – out of work in a bad economy. Now I’m not saying everyone will end up with Julia Roberts, but what we can learn from this movie is that our attitude in the midst of tough circumstances will go a long way.

The characters are deep and connect with the audience almost immediately. Larry is that “great guy” we all want as a best friend. He’s kind, caring and shows an immeasurable amount of grace. Mercedes is a bit of a mess when we first meet her, but we discover that she and her husband are in an unhealthy relationship. It’s that relationship that’s wearing her down and causing her depression. By the end of the film we see her happy and we are happy for her.

If there is a negative, it’s how the relationship between Larry and Mercedes begins. Sure they share a great kiss…but there is one big problem…she’s married. Although her husband is less than perfect, he is still her husband. But they are quick to realize their mistake and don’t pursue the relationship until Mercedes and her husband divorce.

I loved this movie, it’s “Theater Worthy.”

SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
There is no sex or nudity, except for an image of an almost-nude woman on a computer. Other than adult themes, there are 2 f-words and some other milder language.

Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):

Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: When Larry is fired, one of his managers is extremely rude and condescending –going as far as scarfing up the last slice of pizza in the break room while Larry tries to process the news he has just been given. Later on in the film there is a scene where Larry bumps into that manager, who is now delivering pizza – truly fitting. But Larry has a very biblical, very grace-filled reaction. He chooses not to “rub it in” and gives him a bigger tip than was necessary.

How did you feel when you saw that?

How would you have reacted in that situation?

Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: Have you ever been treated unfairly? What happened?

Did you have a chance to “get even?” What did you do?

Retell the story of Joseph, found in Genesis 37-44 and ask: How is Larry’s story similar to Joseph’s?

Then Read Genesis 45:1-15. How is what Larry did similar to what Joseph did?

What are some things we can learn from these two stories? (Bad things are going to happen, but God is in control and if we trust Him, he will take care of us. How we live through difficult times says a lot about our character.)

Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: We can understand that we will certainly face difficult times (James 1:2) but no mater how difficult the situation…God is still in control.

Read these three familiar and powerful verses.

Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Romans 8:28
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

So instead of being angry or bitter, we can trust that God is in control and that he has a plan.