Poor Harvey Shine (Dustin Hoffman) is a would-be jazz pianist to whom fate has given the job of jingle writer for a Manhattan agency. We see him at work and get the feeling he is good at what he does, really understands the needs of the clients, but doesn’t really consider what he creates to be “music.”
His boss does not seem any too impressed with his latest output and actually suggests that he spend more time in England, where he is headed for his daughter’s wedding, than he had originally planned. Harvey declines, making the point that he needs to be back there for an upcoming pitch to an old client.
He departs for England, planning on a rapid turn around. His boss is not so sure.
On the way across the pond, Harvey tries to chat up a fellow passenger, but she’s having none of it. He’s left sitting there with egg on his face and we come to regard him as even more of a loser.
When he arrives at the airport in London, an interviewer attempts to question him about his reasons for visiting the UK, but Harvey rebuffs her attempt. He’s not in a good mood and really is rather rude to her.
The interviewer is Kate Walker, played by Emma Thompson, and we get the message: he’ll be seeing more of her.
