Most times, life isn't like the movies. People get old; they get a little tubby; they get cranky; they fail (but not spectacularly); they stagnate; they get by. Occasionally, movies are a little bit like real life.

Well, sort of.

'Last Chance Harvey' tries its best to be a story that you can actually believe in ? a romantic comedy where the romance is gentle and the comedy is sometimes witty, but mostly tragic. The protagonists are middle-aged (well, one of them at any rate) and lonely. Their lives are unfulfilled; their jobs unexciting; and their quirky idiosyncrasies well-established.

Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) a burnt-out jingle-maker and poor father heads over to England for his daughter's wedding. When he gets there, he discovers that he no longer belongs in his own family and, when his daughter opts to have her step-father give her away instead, decides to skip the reception and head back to the US to avoid being fired.

He misses his plane (it is, after all, a movie) and strikes up a somewhat unwilling conversation with a woman called Kate Walker (Emma Thompson) who spends her days trying to persuade weary passengers to fill in questionnaires.

The two go for a walk. They talk. They walk and talk. A lot. Along the way, they discover each other, themselves, and some of London's scenic landmarks.

Of course, it's still a movie, so it's littered with improbably escapist fantasies and plot twists. But, let's face it, if it weren't, who would want to watch it?

As Harvey Shine, Dustin Hoffman borders on annoying (obnoxious American meets creepy stalker), but is pathetic enough to garner your sympathy. As always, Emma Thompson delivers a nuanced and captivating performance.

'Last Chance Harvey' is the antidote to blockbusters like 'Terminator' and Transformers'. It is quiet, gentle and, well, pleasant. But, if you have yet to celebrate your 50th, you could probably just catch this one on DVD.