Hope Floats ** (1998, Sandra Bullock, Harry Connick Jr, Gena Rowlands) – Classic Movie Review 1983

Sandra Bullock is likeable and appealing as housewife Birdee Calvert, who, after hearing on TV that her hubby is having an affair with her best friend Connie (Rosanna Arquette), moves back with her daughter Bernice (Mae Whitman) to the Smithville, Texas, home of her dotty mother (Gena Rowlands).

Depressed, Birdee runs into an old friend, the local hunk Justin Matisse ((Harry Connick Jr), who is still in love with her and tries to help her through. Mom promptly works to fix her up with Justin, but the sorry-for-herself Bullock’s too busy getting her head and act together.

The acting is fine in director Forest Whitaker’s warm-hearted, good-natured and enjoyable enough 1998 chick flick that’s carefully made but just lacks the fire and depth that could have made it special. Michael Paré, Cameron Finley, Kathy Najimy, Bill Cobbs, Connie Ray and Mona Lee Fultz co-star.

© Derek Winnert 2014 Classic Movie Review 1983

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