Customer Reviews

Hope Floats (Widescreen/Full Screen)

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is as close to real life as it gets , like the saying "when it rains it pours" Well Birdie suffered from a cheating husband, depression, jobless,"matchmaking mother" and a daughter who blamed it all on her Mom and then BAM !!! Her mother passes away and her cheating husband has the nerve to show up with divorce papers ???? That poor girl . It was like what Birdies Mother said to Bernice . ' My birdie has more strength than she has ever known . I admired "Birdie" in this movie , not only did she go on with life but it is true that "Hope Floats" and you "just have to move on with it"( Gena Rowlands)(Miss Romana) . I cryed , I smiled , I got angry and last I cryed with happy tears . My all time favorite movie . Thank you ..

Sandra Bullock turns in a textured, nuanced performance in this bittersweet tale of loss, closure, and new beginnings. After learning in a brutal fashion that her husband and her best friend have become lovers, Bullock returns to her small hometown in Texas, son in tow. She "goes home to Mother", re-instating a relationship that is close but with its share of the usual troubles and flaws.

She finds that her high school boyfriend still retains strong feelings for her. Slowly, she learns to trust again, as the two draw close. The movie is saved from mediocrity by the strong performances of the three major characters who are able to convey feelings beyond what is spoken. That said, I have taken from this movie a marvelous set of words in the following quotation:

"Beginnings are scary, and endings are generally sad, but it's what happens in the middle that matters."

Mae Whitman plays the adorable, if not bratty, daughter in this, Bernice. If you happen to come across a recent photo of her, my, hasn't she grown up?

Yet again, Sandra Bullock exectutive produces, and stars in, a film that she's done a million times over. She's got herself into a rut with the kind of roles she can play, and nothing can save her now. She's teamed up with yet another hunky man, this time Harry Connick Jnr, and although they hardly spend any 'quality' time together in the movie, there is one great scene where they dance together.

I hope soon that Sandra Bullock will shock us all with a role in a movie that isn't something she normally does. She's approaching 40 now, and should be expanding her horizons, so she can stay in the movie business once her pretty looks have gone. But nope, she churns out film after film, swapping guys and trying to make out she's still as popular. I'm holding out for the Miss Congeniality sequel - still one of my all time favourite films starring her.

Don't get me wrong, I love her films. The only one that's surprised me was Murder By Numbers, and that's probably cos I still can't understand it to this day. But if you've seen one, you've seen them all. Still a good film though, with Kathy Najimy playing the role of Toni Post, the Ricki Lake style chatshow host at the very start of the film.

Mae Whitman is terrific in this, and hopefully, she'll appear in loads more movies, now she's getting a bit older, and has got rid of those horrid glasses.

This movie is one of my all-time favorites.
It could happen to any of us.

Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr. and Gena Rowlands star in this touching movie about finding your footing. Birdie (Sandra Bullock) is mortified to learn on national television that her husband is having an affair with her best friend. She leaves town with her daughter Bernice and they go to Birdie's hometown to live with her mom. Birdie soon realizes that not much has changed, the small town is still buzzing about her. The movie follows a series of events where she has to change and grow and find herself...and the hope to find life and love again. The movie was poignant and funny, but also very touching in many scenes. This is one of Bullock's best performances in my opinion and one of her best movies.

This is a terrific, see it again and again film. Sandra's character is going through so much change--some self-inflicted and some forced upon her. This movie proves it's never too late to learn who you really are, or who you were meant to be. Your fate will find you, even if you THOUGHT you had other plans. Excellent things to say about your past behavior biting you in the butt--Polka Dot being head of the job-finding agency--but Birdie takes it in stride. She takes her knocks and we watch every moment. Mother-daughter relationships, resisting love, giving in, seeing things for what they are... all covered right here. Connick delivers a solid performance. Worth seeing!

I usually hate movies about Texas because they always portray as a bunch of hicks and we're not. I commend this movie (cause both Sandra and Harry are Texans) for FINALLY portraying Texas as it truly is. It's about damn time. I think Harry and Sandra work amazingly well together in this movie and that shows. The movie teaches society a lot in 2 short hours, none of which I'm gonna go into but you'll just have to see it to believe it. Twinkles.

"Hope Floats" is a typical family drama. A young woman, played by Sandra Bullock, finds out that her husband is in love with her best friend...on a nationwide TV show. As a result, takes her daughter and moves back to her hometown, a small place in Texas, called Smithville. Living at her mother's house, she soon loses her nerves. Right at this moment, the attractive cowboy Justin comes along to win her heart.
What can I say about this movie? It's definitely entertaining and very well acted. Especially Gena Rowlands (as mother) and Mae Whitman (as daughter) are over the top.
But somehow something is missing in "Hope Floats"...maybe it's just a bit too American for the taste of an average European.
Nevertheless...if you like this kind of movies, you should take a look at it. It's no mistake.

This review refers to the 20th Century Fox DVD edition of "Hope Floats".....

Forest Whitaker gives us a nice taste of his behind the camera talents with his direction of this touching and romantic feel good film. He has assembled a terrific cast including the charming Sandra Bullock,the irresistable Harry Connick Jr.,and the always wonderful Gena Rowlands. Add to that a story that will touch you with it's character's strength, humor and loving bonds of family by Steven Rogers, a soundtrack you'll want to hear over and over and terrific photogrpahy and you've got yourself a great recipe for a delightful movie break.

Birdie Pruitt(Bullock)was the sweetheart of her hometown, Smithville, Texas. She had it all..beauty queen, cheerleader,married to her high school sweetheart,a daughter who is the apple of her eye, and living the good life now in Chicago. But Birdie's perfect life is about to unravel. After appearing on one of those afternoon talk shows for what she thinks will be a make-over, she is hit with the awful truth that her best friend and husband are having an affair.

Devasted, humiliated on national T.V., and feeling all is lost, she packs up herself and her daughter and beats a retreat back to Smithville. The road back to self-esteem is a long one for Birdie, as she shuts herself off from life and love and must deal with readjusting to a new life.

Sandra Bullock will warm your heart as she learns to open hers again. Harry Connick Jr. will keep you smiling, as the childhood friend who has always loved her, and tries to breakdown Birdie's walls. And Gena Rowlands is perfect as the mother who won't let her child give up. Bernice, Birdie's young daughter is played brillantly by the young Mae Whitman and will evoke a lump in your throat as the child of divorce. Lots of great music including songs by Sheryl Crow, Bryan Adams and a beautiful rendition of "Smile" by Charles Chaplin, added to a moving score by Dave Grusin,are all just the right touches to this heartwarming story.

The DVD is an excellent presentation. The picture in widescreen(1.85:1)is very good with nice colors.The Sound in Dolby Dig 5.1 surrounds the room nicely.It may be viewed in French(stereo) and has subtitles in English and Spanish for those needing them. There are no other special features though.

If you're in need of a little pick-me-up, this is the film to do it. A feel good movie that's romantic, poignant and humorous, will leave you appreciating all that you already have, and with a smile as well.

enjoy.....Laurie

Ok, It's gonna be short: this is one of my favorite movie!
Great Sandra Bullock, great country music, and a nice story. The story is also taking place where real life is: nice country town, my way of seeing the real America.
I'd rather see this kind of movie than stupid action-gun type of films. Too bad, it's rare to see that in the movies theatres, so you should see it if it's not already done.