Here are some customer reviews of
Hope Floats
: This movie was just a little too slow and a little too depressing. I expected much more from the two stars.
 I went to see this movie in the theater, because I am a big fan of Harry Connick Jr. I was not disappointed by either him, or the movie. All of the characters seem wonderfully real. Others complain that the character of Bernice is whiny and mean, but I felt that the depiction was rather accurate. How are little girls supposed to act, when their father is gone, and their whole world has been suddenly changed? The evolution of Justin and Birdee's relationship is also touching. She doesn't automatically fall into his arms, it takes time, and alot of work on his part. He is a man who is willing to wait for her, and he understands that she still has alot of feelings for her husband, that she must explore. My favorite characters are that of the mother, and Travis (the little boy). This is an all around touching movie, that will not disappoint you. Most of all, it is a sweet, simple movie about love..........and hope.
The story really dragged. I kept waiting for the plot to develop but, much to my dismay, it didn't. I really expected more out of Bullock. I found watching grass grow to be more interesting.
I have, to date, bought seven copies of this video. I am giving them to various friends and family members in need of some comfort and "hope". This film deals with dilemmas which we each have or will, at some time, face in our lives. The situations will not necessarily be the same but have loss and betrayal in common with the occurrences in the film. Sandra Bullocks's portrayal of Birdee was impeccable. I especially liked the fact that she surrounded herself with "things" that she associated with the people that she had lost. She kept Bill's shirt that she had found before leaving the house. It, evidently, still had his scent on it. She slept in it at her mother's. She wore her father's jacket the day that she walked through the rain to the school. She carried his lunch pail as a purse. After her mother's death, she wroe the mother's dress for the funeral. These are things that I have found myself doing after a loss. It gave a "realness" to that character that she would not have had otherwise. I had seen Harry Connick Jr. in other things, but he was outstanding in this movie. I have, since, gone back to have a second look at his other performances. He is, very quickly, becoming one of my very favorite singers and actors! Both of the children in the film were darling. I enjoyed Mae Whitman's efforts at driving "Justin" away from her mother! The skunk story is classic. Gena Rowlands was outstanding as the mother. She was always there for her family/daughter altho' she did not always "say" or "do" the right thing. She tried to "do well" by them. Most of Texas is not like Smithville. I live in Texas, and most towns are somewhat more sophisticated than that. There is still, happily, a lot of the "Western" mystique about the place tho'. I think that this is a great movie!
Hope Floats is more than just a romance story. It is about family and getting through hard times. The romantic parts are great, but what is more important is the way it is not just that.
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