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Hope Floats Review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

  • 3.0
    42

    out of 100

    Metascore®
    Mixed or average reviews
    based on a weighted average of all
    critic review scores.

  • 30

    out of 100

    Variety Todd McCarthy

    A dreadfully dull, completely conventional story of a young wife's recuperation from being unceremoniously dumped, this is a by-the-numbers bit of emotional calculation without a single fresh, original or offbeat move in its system, apart from a nifty opening sequence.

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  • 42

    out of 100

    Entertainment Weekly Lisa Schwarzbaum

    The pond is so shallow in this wan romance that there's no room for anything to float.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert

    A turgid melodrama with the emotional range of a sympathy card.

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  • 50

    out of 100

    ReelViews James Berardinelli

    An insipid, stillborn drama that drags its viewers through a ghetto of despair before finally, unexpectedly plopping them down in the midst of a happy ending.

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  • 60

    out of 100

    The New York Times Elvis Mitchell

    Hope Floats, which often resembles a rosy commercial, does indulge in too much awkward slow motion, and in occasional embarrassing romps that are meant to signify family fun.

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  • 70

    out of 100

    Los Angeles Times Kevin Thomas

    A sharper edge could have taken a pretty good, if uneven, picture to greater heights, considering its potent ingredients and actors.

    Read Full Review

  • See all Hope Floats reviews at Metacritic.com

For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 13+

Redemptive drama ready made for family viewing.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie deals with the separation of Birdee Pruitt and her husband Bill after Birdee learns that he has been having an affair with her best friend on a national talk show. The separation is traumatic to the couple's daughter, Bernice, and the film may be difficult for children who have had to deal with their parents' separation or divorce. Characters drink and argue. Sexual activity is referenced, but neither shown nor discussed in detail. The film also deals frankly with death.

  • Families can talk about the difficulty Birdee has moving home. Birdee calls her mother "the town joke" and says she was embarrassed of her mother as a child. Do other characters in the film seem to see Ramona Calvert as a joke? How does moving home humble Birdie? Families may also want to discuss Ramona Calvert's death, as it may be troubling to young viewers.

The good stuff
  • message true0

    Messages: Not an issue

What to watch for
  • violence false3

    Violence: Birdee grabs her daughter Bernice's arm during an argument. A classmate beats Bernice up after class.

  • sex false0

    Sex: Not an issue

  • language false0

    Language: Not an issue

  • consumerism false0

    Consumerism: Birdee works in a 1-hour photo lab.

  • drugsalcoholtobacco false3

    Drinking, drugs and smoking: In one scene, Birdee gets drunk at the local bar and stays out all night.

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