Hope Springs
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Movie Reviews of Hope Springs
Movie Review: A CLASSIC ROMANCE
Summary: 4 Stars
In BriefWhen British artist Colin Ware (Firth), discovers that his fiancée Vera (Driver), the love of his life, is going to marry another man he gets on a plane for America and ends up in a tiny town called Hope. Distraught, he soon finds more than a shoulder to cry on when his innkeepers introduce him to Mandy (Graham) a beautiful nurse. But no sooner has Colin forgotten about his old flame than Vera shows up.
Review
Romantic Comedies usually have that mix of candy floss content that makes you think you can eat a whole one, as how hard can it be to eat sugar whipped in air? Yet when you attempt it you realise that while there really isn't anything to it, you cant finish as its sickly sweet and forcing yourself to throw it away you are left feeling very unsatisfied. Now while that analogy may make you cringe you'll be thankful to know that Hope Springs certainly won't. Indeed this is one of those rare hybrid films that feature an Anglo-American crossover romance and succeeds in mixing sass and irony very well so that both sides of the Atlantic may appreciate its story.
Following in the footsteps of Notting Hill and Four Weddings this slice of American apple pie sets the story in the ideally named small town of Hope, where a typically English gent (Firth) has escaped his long-term fiancée to find himself anew. Mandy (Graham) is the tonic everyman desires, and while its beginning to become a familiar story of estranged love finds new passion, both play their roles with a freshness that really lights up the screen.
Steenburgen and Collison are perfect as the comedy cupids that help steer true love on its path. While the local residents of the small town all have a part to play in both hindering and helping the pairing of Mandy & Colin. Indeed, the local mayor played by Oliver Platt is a brilliant encapsulation of the small time business man turned big time thinker, and he brings a slightly toned down but nicely timed comic turn throughout.
Like all romantic comedies the only major downside are their predictability. They all share the same fate, yet its an example of good filmmaking if the story can be remoulded as if to give the impression that its slightly original or at least engaging. Unfortunately Hope Springs is not original, but it does its job well and passes 90 minutes without temptation to make itself something far greater than it should be.
The Verdict
This is the ABC of romance, told with such a sincerity by all members of the cast that you cant help but enjoy it. Colin Firth may have moved on from the wet shirt days of Pride & Prejudice and though he may no longer be Mr. Darcy I don't believe he will disappoint. A delightful pairing with Graham works well, and Hope Springs is enough to give anyone that 90 minute dream we all need sometimes.
Movie Review: Dear God, it isn't that 4 Stars
I guess I am just not as discerning, not as sophisticated, maybe just not as bright, or with it, or movie savvy as so many of the others who have taken the time to share their opinion of this movie. They would lead you to believe that your brain might turn to mush, that you may find yourself sitting in a corner drooling, perhaps beating yourself around the head for wasting the time and or money to pick up and watch this film.Well I'm thankful that I am not like them, because I rather enjoyed it. I have yet to see a movie that is as bad as they make it out to be. Granted, "Hope Springs" is no "Citizen Kane", but then again it is no "Crimewave" (a 1985 movie that I think is the worst movie ever made). If you go into a romantic comedy expecting what most romantic comedies are, a pleasant diversion, then 99 times out of 100 you get what you expect. If you go in expecting high art, then you are bound for disappointment. Most the haters said they expected more out of Colin Firth and Minnie Driver. Many actors have made films that they are ashamed to include on their resumes, but I doubt that this is one of them. I personally would rather watch a movie like this than your run of the mill Tom Cruise $300M blockbuster that makes $100M on the 1st run (Colin Firth is an ACTOR, Tom Cruise is a movie star). Maybe they would have liked it more if some lesser actors were in it, but then they only watched it because of Driver and Firth, so they probably would not have watched it in the first place, and we then would not be having this conversation. I better wrap this up, I'm starting to confuse even myself.
Bottom line, I judge a movie on how I feel when it is over, when this was over I felt that I had spent an enjoyable 90 or so minutes and was glad I had taken the time to watch. Don't let the sophisticates scare you off, it was fun.
Movie Review: Predictable but quite pleasing
Summary: 4 Stars
I found myself in the video store going to rent "Hero" with Jet Li, and I came across "Hope Springs" as well. I read the box and decided sure, why not, Colin Firth is quickly becoming on the Hugh Grant level for me at least. Having just watched it I should say, I absolutely loved it. Sure it was predictable, what romantic comedy these days isn't, I mean honestly?! Regardless, I loved the quirkiness of the characters and the way they progressed through the film. Colin Firth being his usual self, a heartbroken man attempting to pick up the pieces, Heather Graham as the small town girl who never quite finds love, and Minnie Driver as the selfish EX that has everything but wants the one thing she can no longer have. Sure the end result you can figure by reading the back of the box, but it's the elements that get you there that make this movie so great. I turned this off with a BIG smile on my face and feeling generally good about life. Some of my favorite points of this movie have to be the "I'm Not In Love" rendition done by whomever as well as Colin carrying the beautiful doe eyed Heather Graham ALL the way back to his Motel room (which had to have been miles). Greatest touch with him hurting his back right before credits and the Motel owners thinking otherwise. Loved it.Movie Review: Colin Firth makes a cookie into an eclair!
Summary: 4 Stars
I bought Hope Springs because I haven't yet found a Colin Firth film I didn't like, and I wasn't disappointed. I would rate it five stars, except that the script, some of the accompanying cast, and other "filmological" features don't match the quality of some other Firth films. If you're interested in a recent 5-star, try "The Advocate" or "Love, Actually". But the film was a very enjoyable experience on its own, and Firth takes an emotional cretin and makes him into an emotional genius during the course of the story, always a satisfying journey.Movie Review: Unexpected Gem
Summary: 4 Stars
This turned out to have been written by the author who wrote The Graduate. It is a funny movie and Colin Firth is great as always, Heather Graham was at times annoying and I kept thinking she's too young. Minnie Driver was ok and in an unexpected comic turn. However, Frank Collison and Mary Steenburgen absolutely steal the movie - they are so funny and their comic timing is impeccable. Even the man in my life laughed at some of the antics Firth & Graham got up to especially the driving scene. It's clever and very witty.