Hope Floats (1998)

Birdee Calvert must choose between her morals and her heart after her husband divorces her and a charming young man, who her daughter disapproves of, comes back into her life.

Director:

Forest Whitaker

Writer:

Steven Rogers

Stars:

Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr., Gena Rowlands

3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Sandra Bullock	...	Birdee Pruitt
Harry Connick Jr.	...	Justin Matisse
Gena Rowlands	...	Ramona Calvert
Mae Whitman	...	Bernice Pruitt
Michael Paré	...	Bill Pruitt
Cameron Finley	...	Travis
Kathy Najimy	...	Toni Post
Bill Cobbs	...	Nurse
Connie Ray	...	Bobbi-Claire
Mona Lee Fultz	...	Teacher
Sydney Berry	...	Orange Julia
Rachel Snow	...	Big Dolores (as Rachel Lena Snow)
Christina Stojanovich	...	Kristen
Alissa Alban	...	Debbie Reissen (as Allisa Alban)
Dee Hennigan	...	Dot

Storyline

Birdee Calvert-Pruitt is back in her hometown of Smithville, Texas, after discovering that her husband is having an affair with her best friend, Connie. The entire town knows what happened to flawless beauty Birdee since Connie let her know about the affair on a national talk show. Back in town, she's dealing with catty old friends and acquaintances from high school who can't help rubbing it in her face that she isn't as perfect as she thought while still trying to get back on her feet with her daughter, Bernice. Deeply depressed, she runs into an old friend, Justin Matisse, who tries to help her through, but is still in love with her. Birdee must make a new life for her and her daughter, but will Justin be able to be part of it?

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Plot Keywords:

friend | best friend | texas | smithville texas | anger | 

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Taglines:

When life fell apart, love fell into place.

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for thematic elements

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

29 May 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Vientos de esperanza

Filming Locations:

201 E. Eighth St. Smithville, Texas USA

Box Office

Budget:

$30,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£318,643 (UK) (13 November 1998)

Gross:

£612,606 (UK) (20 November 1998)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Fortis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The first film made under Sandra Bullock's own production company, Fortis Films.

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Goofs

During the scene when Hathaway and Phillips are rapping while sitting on their bed. A cast light appears on the door where the boom microphone silhouette raises in to view.

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Quotes

Birdee Pruitt: Once upon a time your mama knew what it meant to shine.

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Connections

Referenced in Parks and Recreation: Indianapolis (2011)

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Soundtracks

"Honest I Do"
Written by Ewart Abner and Jimmy Reed
Performed by The Rolling Stones
Produced by Don Was and Mick Jagger & Keith Richards (as The Glimmer Twins)
The Rolling Stones appear courtesy of Promotone B.V.

User Reviews

A Better Film Than Most People Think!

One of the things that truly irks me are some people's rapid willingness to typecast actors and actresses, and dump on them when they try something new. While it has to be said that Sandra Bullock does not avoid exploding buses, or have to hunt down any cryogenically frozen bad guys in this picture, "Hope Floats" is a better movie than most give it credit, and Ms. Bullock and the supporting cast put in fine performances of their own to make a very touching and poignant film.

Forest Whitaker (acting in such films as "Blown Away" and "Phenomenon" sits in the Director's chair on this one and crafts a tale that deals with many different emotional themes, carried earnestly by sensitive and character revealing performances from his leading lady and the supporting cast.

While it must be said that Ms. Bullock provides some very memorable scenes in this film (especially when drunk) the casting of Gena Rowlands, Harry Connick Jr, and Michael Pare provide more ballast with fine performances delivered from all.

But the highlight for me in this film - young Mae Whitman and her performance as Ms. Bullock's on-screen daughter. At the conclusion of one very moving scene near the end of the film I could only watch her and wonder at just how bright this young actress' future will be.

So, if blood, bombs and action is your scene, then "Hope Floats" may not be your scene, but if you are into drama with solidly acted and well crafted characters by very fine actors, then "Hope Floats" is for you. It will leave you very satisfied that you took the time to see this very finely made and acted film.