I found another gem. This movie took me by surprise. Any movie with Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson has the potential to be good and this did not disappoint.

Dustin Hoffman is a frustrated jazz pianist who writes jingles for commercials. His career is in danger, but he has to go to London to attend his daughter’s wedding.

Arriving at his hotel he finds that he is the only one at the hotel while all the other guests are at his ex-wife’s house - not a good start. He does not have a close relationship with his daughter nor his now-married ex-wife. He is the odd man out and is made to feel that way.

Emma is a single woman in London trying out the dating scene without too much success. Emma works at an airline and takes care of her possessive mother.

They meet at the airport. While at first awkward, they begin to enjoy each other’s company. Dustin is obviously smitten by Emma. Although hesitant at first, she starts to warm up to him after a while.
Unable to accept that he is somewhat irrelevant to the happy events surrounding him, he cannot decide between staying in London or going back to New York to a job he needs but clearly hates.

Watching these two superstars is a delight. I usually watch whatever either one is in. This movie did not disappoint. It in interesting to see how Emma changes from a distant and lonely person to someone who wants to help this strange man who has his own weirdness and problems. Dustin does equally as well as a cold, somewhat bitter man who realizes he missed so much of life and maybe should not miss any more.

The two quickly become close and begin to help each other. While at the daughter’s reception Hoffman delivers what must be the most difficult to watch and improbable  toast to his daughter. It wrenches your gut even though you cannot believe someone would actually give such a toast.

The question is: can these two opposite, middle-aged people break through their shells and make a life for each other. Go rent this movie to find out. Let me know what you think.