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. Hope Springs
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. ReviewRomantic 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 VerdictThis 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.
Okay, first off this movie is not going to scream oscar winner but it's still a fun quirky movie with likeable characters. Yes, I'm a huge Colin Firth fan and no that's not why I'm not jumping on the bandwagon of bad reviews. Yes, the movie is a romantic comedy but I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it's predictable. Perhaps because I've not read the book that this movie was based on I did not come in with any kind of expectations. Who knows. I do recommend this movie as a nice way to spend a few hours.
I am an unapologetic Colin fan (much to my husband's chagrin) but even I feel the need to apologize for this one. If you cannot wait for Love Actually or Girl w/a Pearl Earring(the DVD is gonna be cooler than the movie with the 'lost' scenes from the book that a lot of us "firth-ites" were looking for! but I digress!) you would be much better served by purchasing some of the lesser-known films of Firth! Go get Fever Pitch (order from amazon.canada to get the more tastefull cover) or A Month in the Country w/Ken Brannaugh (bonus!) or if you are intrepid, obtain an Hour of the Pig/Advocate (both titles are the same movie. Even the absurd fantastical Mike Binder film Londinium/Fourplay is better. The problem is the book is quirky and a great deal of changes were made from book to screenplay. Things get muddled and the principle explanation for why he chose America is lost. Plus, to make the town in to Hope they lost the New Cardiff-old Cardiff Vera connection that explains out a lot more of the ridiculous points. Let's all hope that Richard Curtis does a better translation of BJ2 Edge of Reason...since missing from BJD was the whole rescue/Pride & Prejudice parallel with Darcy saving the family from disgrace. It would have been awesome! (Colin quite literally going around the world for you ending up with a chase where he's all unkempt and dishevelled....mmm) Anyways...I own this disc and have watched more than once. It really is very fluffy and silly. But since my collection also incudes Master of the Moor and Apartment Zero, I'm going for the complete over quality thing. Bottom line is Colin is always awesome even when paired with Heather Graham.To sum up: spend no money here... Instead: BJD, Fever Pitch(highly recommend!), P&P (of course!), English Patient(why would she...???), Tumbledown, Nostromo, Valmont, Donovan Quick, Hour of the Pig/Advocate, or save up for Love Actually & Girl w/pearl earring! Also remember Trauma and BJ2 coming to theaters soon! - Movie - Drama - Immortal - Deal With The Devil'
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