FilmBuff1994
Hope Springs is a decent movie with a reasonably well developed plot and a terrific comedic cast that are even able to be dramatic when necessary. I think the thing that keeps it all together was the chemistry between Colon Firth and Heather Graham, it was very natural, which made for a pleasant viewing. It was certainly a clichéd romantic comedy, there really is no plot point that is unexpected, it is extremely predictable. As well as that, no character other than Colin is developed properly, they are all very one note and never stretch beyond that, which I do not blame the actresses for, I blame the writers. While it is without a doubt a flawed film, Hope Springs has a lot of heart and charming performances which make it very watchable, if you are looking for a romantic comedy it is worth the look, just do not pay money to view it. A depressed artist tries to forget about his love life in the quiet town of Hope, Vermont, but soon begins a relationship with another woman. Best Performance: Colin Firth / Worst Performance: Frank Collison
pedrokolari
I'd like to add my vote to the non-haters of this movie. Also I am on a one-man campaign to persuade reviewers and posters to stay away from extreme best-worst knee jerk judgments.The movie is reasonably entertaining, based on usual clichés of small-time America, British-American culture chasm, etc.. The women are nice to look at. Colin Firth does an average job, which suffers from comparison with some of his major movies. Also both he and Hugh Grant have clearly been over-stretching their franchise on the bumbling Brit cliché.All together, if you stumble into this while zapping channels, you won't be sorry.
Spikeopath
Hope Springs is directed by Mark Herman, who also writes the screenplay from the novel "New Cardiff" written by Charles Webb. It stars Colin Firth, Heather Graham, Minnie Driver, Mary Steenburgen, Frank Collison and Oliver Platt. Shot on location in British Columbia, photography is by Ashley Rowe and the music by John Altman. Plot sees Firth as a depressed artist, who after being dumped by his fiancée, Vera (Driver), retreats to little town Vermont for some R & R. However, when he meets odd care home nurse Mandy (Graham), an unlikely romance begins to form, but Vera turns up to try and put a spanner in the works.The sort of film that you watch because there is nothing else on and you want a light and breezy time filler before going to bed. For an hour, Herman's film delivers on its quirky promise, boasting genuine laughs, good acting performances and a zippy soundtrack (Ash/Blink 182/Garbage). But then it runs out of steam and you find yourself wondering just what is the point of the central romance? Is it just a case of two people finding each other in unusual circumstances? Because, like, love is everywhere! These basic rom-com values are easy to stomach (why else watch a rom-com?), as long as the comedy is broad and fills out the narrative to the end. But that doesn't happen here and the supporting character actors are badly wasted: very annoying in the case of Steenburgen, who playing the foxy/slinky hotel owner had a character that had the potential to provide more laughs in the story.On the plus side it's good fare from Firth, even tho it's about as challenging as asking him to read a book, and Graham can't be accused of lacking gusto and petite charm. While "Mr Unique Face" Frank Collison gets a bit more dialogue than he usually does in films. There's also much to enjoy with Ashley Rowe's photography, some lovely choice of colour lenses for the Autumnal back drop. It's a blip on the CV of director Herman, a CV that boasts the likes of Brassed Off, Little Voice & The Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas, but you sense that the material could have made for a great movie. But what started off so well sadly descends into being laborious and unadventurous. 5/10
patg-637-261848
My wife and I started watching this movie and quickly become insulted by the poor quality and the lack of detail. This was supposed to take place in Vermont, USA, but they were so bad at location that they forgot to at least put on Vermont car plates - they were British Columbia plates!!! Also, the accents were terrible. One lady sounded like Fran Dressler from the Nanny, some sounded like they were from the south. Vermonters for the most part don't have an accent. Why not just film the movie in Vermont? A little homework by the producers would have done them some good. It's too bad... we both like the actor Colin Firth. Not his fault.
AD
