To me….This is the best “Chick Flick” directed by a man.
MOVIE: “Hope Floats” (1998)
It’s all about opening yourself up, taking chances and relationships. So you’ve gotta have a strong cast and fearless director. Sandra Bullock, Gena Rowlands, Harry Connick Jr., Mae Whitman and Forrest Whitaker all fit the bill here.
It opens with a surprise, not just for Birdee Pruitt (played by Sandra Bullock) but for the audience as well. Birdee has the rug pulled out from under her and ends up back in her old home town of Smithville, Texas. She is fragile and hurt, but, learns to be courageously authentic. Her vulnerability with an underlying strength is never more apparent than in the scene where she is looking for a new job and a former classmate is the door that she had to go through to get there.
Then there is Birdee’s mama, “Mona” (Ramona), played by the iconic Gena Rowlands. What a strong, encouraging character who tells it like it is. She is the wind beneath Birdee’s broken wings who has some fantastic one liners. Some of my favorites are: “Get out there! Go get the stink blown off ‘ya” or “You’re going to school today Rocky”.
To round out the females is the power house Mae Whitman. She holds her own with Sandra Bullock and Gena Rowlands as Birdee’s daughter Bernice. The scene that always gets me is where she is trying with all her little might to leave Smithville and go with her father. It hit especially close to home when I first saw the movie for the first time as I had just lost my father.
As for the males, Harry Connick Jr. quietly, powerfully plays Justin Matisse. Justin is not a “studly” man with tons of “swag”, but, a persistent man who knows what he wants and goes after it…..in ALL aspects of life. He helps Birdee learn to trust and love again and THAT is sexy!
There is a scene that is not to be missed in the movie when Bernice has a really rough day and her family and friends come together to cheer her up in a unique way. The scene always brings a smile to my face. It also highlights the music that Whitaker chooses to use in the movie and what passion he has for the movie as a director.
MUNCHIES:
My suggestion for munchies is a little different this time. Go to your favorite diner to eat…..and go ALONE!!!! It was a liberating experience for me and as much I enjoy company while I’m eating, I found out that I have the stern stuff to go stag too. My favorite diner is Marietta Diner in Atlanta. Don’t forget to get dessert too….just to spite ‘em.
Get Cooking and Keep Watching,
Cecily
I dig it! ;-)
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