 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Hope Floats
- Review Date: September 20, 2005
- PG-13
- Genre: Drama
- 1998
Common Sense Media says
Redemptive drama ready made for family viewing.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie deals with the separation of Birdee Pruitt and her husband Bill after Birdee learns that he has been having an affair with her best friend on a national talk show. The separation is traumatic to the couple's daughter, Bernice, and the film may be difficult for children who have had to deal with their parents' separation or divorce. Characters drink and argue. Sexual activity is referenced, but neither shown nor discussed in detail. The film also deals frankly with death.
What's the story?
When Birdie Pruitt (Sandra Bullock) finds out about her husband's affair on a national talk show, she packs up her daughter Bernice (Mae Whitman) and heads back to Smithville, TX to live with her mother Ramona (Gena Rowlands). Back home, Birdie must confront the folks who have known her and her ex-husband their whole lives. As the town wonders out loud what might have gone wrong between the star quarterback and the beauty queen, Birdie tries to make peace with her mother and find a job. Of course, this being a romantic comedy, Birdie has to fall in love. The lucky man in this particular story is Justin Matisse (Harry Connick Jr.), who has moved back to Smithville from California and is working as a handyman.
Is it any good?
If HOPE FLOATS has any lesson at its core, it's that there's nothing like your hometown to humble you. For the most part, it's easy, unchallenging entertainment. Nothing's really wrong with the film, but it lacks distinction. Forest Whitaker's direction manages to avoid any serious pitfalls. The greatest attraction the film has to offer is the inimitable Gena Rowlands as Birdie's eccentric, quick-witted mother.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the difficulty Birdee has moving home. Birdee calls her mother "the town joke" and says she was embarrassed of her mother as a child. Do other characters in the film seem to see Ramona Calvert as a joke? How does moving home humble Birdie? Families may also want to discuss Ramona Calvert's death, as it may be troubling to young viewers.
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AGE
Waste of Time
This movie was just stupid. I hated all of the characters. There's really nothing left to say other than Sandra Bullock can't do a half decent southern accent.
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AGE
I cried so hard....it was such a lovely movie
Get a box of tissues ready, because you'll need them when Birdee goes to visit her father's nursing home. This movie is at times funny, sad, and touching. I didn't find that there was anything that would be considered "bad" in it, although younger children might not understand some of the stuff about Alzheimers and why Birdee and her husband divorced.
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AGE
Terrible Parenting
I think this movie has a terrible message for parenting style. Birdee, the mother, is selfish, she does not support her daughter during this traumatic experience, and deals terribly with her depression by hurting her entire family. She does not appreciate all her mother has done for her and her daughter. Birdee is also completely unaware of what her daughter is going through at school and does not inquire as to why Bernice was upset afterwards.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment |
| Director: | Forest Whitaker |
| Cast: | Gena Rowlands, Harry Connick Jr., Sandra Bullock |
| Genre: | Drama |
| Run time: | 114 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | May 29, 1998 |
| DVD release date: | November 3, 1998 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | thematic elements |
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