Common Sense Media Review
Redemptive drama ready made for family viewing.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Hope Floats
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?
For the most part, it's easy, unchallenging entertainment; nothing's really wrong with the film, it just lacks distinction. If HOPE FLOATS has any lesson at its core, it's that there's nothing like your hometown to humble you. 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.
Talk to Your Kids 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.
Movie Details
- In theaters : May 29, 1998
- On DVD or streaming : November 3, 1998
- Cast : Gena Rowlands , Harry Connick Jr. , Sandra Bullock
- Director : Forest Whitaker
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Director(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment
- Genre : Drama
- Run time : 114 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : thematic elements
- Last updated : September 20, 2019
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