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 & 9 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?

---

Plot Keywords:

mother daughter relationship | small town | school bully | barking dog | voice over letter | 

---

Taglines:

When life fell apart, love fell into place.

---

Genres:

Drama | Romance

---

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 USA:

$14,210,464, 31 May 1998, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$60,053,195

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$81,471,882

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Fortis Films

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The iconic song Smile by Charlie Chaplin is played in the background in the first half of the movie, in the next scene, Travis is using a Chaplin costume.

---

Goofs

When Birdee first visits her father at the retirement home.

---

Quotes

Bill Pruitt: [Bill is leaving the Calvert house, Bernice is following him with her bag... he takes her wrist] Bernice, what do you think you're doing?
Bernice Pruitt: I'm going with you.
Bill Pruitt: Honey, that's impossible.
Bernice Pruitt: But I'm going with you.
Bill Pruitt: No, you've got to stay here with your mama. Birdee, you gonna help me out here?
[Birdee is silent]
Bernice Pruitt: You told me you wanted me with you, remember?
Bill Pruitt: Listen, honey. I've gotta go. Now don't do this to yourself, OK? Don't make a scene. Now go on back inside, go ahead.
[...]

---

Connections

Referenced in Kevin Can Wait: Kenny Can Wait (2017)

---

Soundtracks

Make You Feel My Love
Written by Bob Dylan
Performed by Trisha Yearwood
Produced by Allen Reynolds
Trisha Yearwood appears courtesy of MCA Records Nashville

User Reviews

I love this movie.

This movie touched me more personally than any other movie ever. The down home country feeling just screams America and what woman hasn't been in Birdie's shoes. Heck... what woman isn't looking for their Justin? This movie has it all... love and pain... laughter and tears. It's perfect. The beauty of the country along with the small town family atmosphere makes this pure. I know I also love the humor. Bernice is the best! She has heart and knows what she wants. The fact that she can tell Justin how it is impresses me and empowers me. The music is some of the most beautiful music I've heard and it just makes this experience all the more perfect for me! I love it and recommend it to any woman who has ever been hurt and survived. Thank you for giving me this opportunity to express my opinion.