Universal has released the first trailer for Larry Crowne.  Directed by and starring Tom Hanks, the story centers on a laid-off middle-aged man (Hanks) who goes back to college and strikes up a relationship with one of his professors (Julia Roberts).  Larry Crowne is the first film Hanks has directed since 1996’s That Thing You Do, and he co-wrote the script with Nia Vardalos (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).   While the story seems pretty simple, Hanks has proven himself behind the camera and people love the guy.    What I'm trying to say is…I'm pretty sure Larry Crowne is going to be a big hit for Universal.  Check out the trailer, synopsis and new images after the jump:

Synopsis:

Oscar winners Tom Hanks and Julia Roberts reunite for a dramatic comedy about how the hard knocks from today’s recession inspire one everyday guy to undergo a personal reinvention: Larry Crowne.

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, also-rans and the overlooked 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.

Release Date: July 1, 2011

Genre: Romantic comedy

Cast: Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts, Bryan Cranston, Cedric the Entertainer, Taraji P. Henson, Gugu Mbatha Raw, Wilmer Valderrama, Pam Grier, Rami Malek, George Takei, Grace Gummer, Rita Wilson, Jon Seda

Directed by: Tom Hanks

Written by: Tom Hanks and Nia Vardalos

Produced by: Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman