Hope Springs (2003)

Director:

Mark Herman

Writers:

Mark Herman (screenplay)
Charles Webb (novel)

Release Date:

9 May 2003 (UK)

Genre:

Comedy | Romance

Tagline:

The problem every man dreams of... a choice.

Plot:

Colin's a sad-eyed British artist (Firth) holed up in a rundown hotel in small-town Vermont after being dumped by his fiancee (Driver)...

Plot Keywords:

Portrait Artist | Massage Therapist | Art Show | Caregiver | Charcoal

Cast

Colin Firth	...	Colin Ware
Heather Graham	...	Mandy
Minnie Driver	...	Vera Edwards
Mary Steenburgen	...	Joanie Fisher
Frank Collison	...	Mr. Fisher
Oliver Platt	...	Doug Reed
Mary Black	...	Mrs. Peterson
Ken Kramer	...	Harold Peterson
Chad Faust	...	Rob
Tony Alcantar	...	Webster
Bethoe Shirkoff	...	Martha
Alan Giles	...	Mr. West
Dolores Drake	...	Waitress
Howard Storey	...	Mr. Golfer
June B. Wilde	...	Mrs. Golfer

Also Known As:

New Cardiff (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated PG-13 for sexual content and language.

Runtime:

USA:92 min | UK:92 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

DTS | Dolby Digital | SDDS

Certification:

Iceland:L | Argentina:13 | Australia:M | Denmark:A | Germany:o.Al. | Singapore:PG | Sweden:Btl | UK:12A | USA:PG-13

Filming Locations:

Fort Langley Community Hall, Fort Langley, Langley Township, British Columbia, Canada

Company:

Fragile Films

Trivia:

Minnie Driver replaced Helena Bonham Carter.

Goofs:

Continuity: After Vera has gotten our of her vehicle and is confronting Mandy, we see her hair and cigarette smoke blowing to her left when viewed from behind. When we are looking at Vera however, her hair is basically unmoving but her smoke is now blowing to her right.

Quotes:

Mandy: Want some?
Colin Ware: Not this morning thanks.

Movie Connections:

References Titanic (1997)

Soundtrack:

I Love You

Great quirky look at Small Town America

I finally saw the film!! It was a delightful subtle piece of filmmaking. The movie is based on the book(New Cardiff) by author Charles Webb, of "The Graduate" fame. Mark Hermann, doing double duty as screenwriter and director, does an adequate job of translating the book to film.

Colin Firth is on the money as Colin Ware, a jilted artist who comes to America to forget his romantic troubles. He jumps out of the fire and into the frying pan, so to speak. By virtue of the hotel manager, he finds a new romantic interest in Heather Graham who plays Mandy, a 'caregiver' by trade. He gets acquainted with this quirky little town whether he wants to or not.

He starts to do portraits of the townsfolk. I found these portrait scenes to be quite entertaining. All is well until now ex-fiancee Vera reappears on the scene in Hope. There is good caustic interplay between Mandy and Vera in their fight over the same man.

Good performances from great ensemble cast made of up Oliver Platt, the Mayor of Hope, Mary Steenburgen as oh-so-tacky matchmaking Hotel manager and Frank Collison as her eccentric husband.

If you are looking for something more subtle than this summer's blockbuster fare, try this delightful little gem of a film! You won't be disappointed.

P.S. For Colin fans out there, he looks gorgeous! I can't wait for the DVD to appreciate him in all his glory.

Michele