DVD Release: Larry Crowne

Bottom Line: This Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts movie about a guy rolling up his sleeves and dealing with financial hardship through hard work should be just the thing for our times. So why is it so boring and strange?

Read our original review. More info after the jump.

The Gist: When Larry (Hanks), a Navy veteran, is fired from his job at a box store, he enrolls in college, find ways to downsize his life, and befriends his unhappily married teacher (Roberts).

The Ups: Tom Hanks is always likeable. Always. It’s like a law of physics.

The Downs: A strange sort of whimsy permeates this movie, different from real life, but not different enough to be fantasy. Mundane fantasy, I guess. Also, nothing happens. It’s one of those character-driven, eventless movies. I can get that just talking to my neighbors and save the rental fee.

The Verdict: Skip it. America’s sweethearts didn’t deliver on this one.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13, the movie is pretty clean, but not really innocent, as Larry feels an increasing attraction to his married teacher.