Fridae

Some PLUs find ageing alone terrifying. Most of us will not have children, and a lifelong companion to grow old with becomes even more important. Should love eludes us when we're young and attractive, is there still a chance of love happening in middle or old age?

Last Chance Harvey answers that with a quiet yes, and reignites hope in all of us.

This slight but sweet dramedy stars Dustin Hoffman as a man who has lived independently and selfishly for a long time. Upon losing his job and having daughter to appoint her stepfather to give her away at her wedding instead of him, Dustin breaks down.

Desperate for some human connection, he chats up at an airport cafe a lonely statistics collector (Emma Thompson) who has had her share of disappointments. They strike up a shy romance - he's a short 70something American, she's a tall 50something Briton - and find hope in each other.

Last Chance Harvey is as conventional an autumn romance as you can get. But the two terrific actors, both double Oscar winners, make the movie hum with gentle, unmistakable joy. It's highly recommended for some of us - well, we know who we are.