icecream-2

...I watched Hope Floats last night and was so appalled at myself for having rented it. The one thing that ruined it all apart from lack of decent plot, the thin characters and mixed up message (just what exactly was it?)- was the kid who played Birdees daughter. I thought her acting was awful. It wasn't realistic - it was just a precocious brat trying to act like a knowitall 40 year old - not like an 8 year old child - it didn't work. Her scene with the father was grossly over the top... Someone please pull this kid aside and explain to her about *subtlety* don't be fooled just cos this child can scream, shout and cry on demand does not mean its worthy of any kind of award.... a slap maybe but not an award. I like Sandra Bullock - she wasnt too bad in this but she was just overshadowed by the daughters horrible OTT performance which was a shame. I am a Harry Connick Jnr fan which I have to confess why I rennted this - but I have now learned my lesson. He was ok but a bit too subdued - he could have sung or something to brighten it up. I think it could have sparked between them but the film was just too rushed - one minute hes saying 'oh hi havent seen you for 20 years' next minute hes nibbling her ear in the back of the car! There wasnt time for the romance to grow..too much time trying to pack in the kid getting bullied the senile dad and all the other numerous tragedies.. not enough time was spent on any of them. My message to anyone who (disturbingly) thought this film was 'powerful', 'gripping' 'well acted' and to anyone who wants an uplifting film about hope then for gods sake go out and rent something like the Shawshank Redemption - don't waste your time with this drivel you'll just be left with the feeling of being robbed of the rental fee and also wondering why exactly you took 2 hours out of your life to watch this...

I read quite a few reviews around the time this film was released and they were all very negative towards it. Don't ask me why I rented it (probably in a moment of maddness) cos I had very low expectations of what it was going to be like but actually I didn't think it was that bad a film... I like Benicio Del Toro - if you don't like him or can't get to grips with the way he speaks etc then your probably instantly going to hate this film - I think he is an interesting character in real life and I think he made this film a little more interesting too... Silverstone was just basically Silverstone - I feel sorry for her its been pretty much down hill since Clueless, shes always playing these richgirl/brat characters there is no real variety..but shes ok - nothing special - Walken was as usual solid as a rock, Harry Connick Jnr cracked me up for some reason I thought he was funny! Plot - I could see where it wanted to go but it didn't quite get there - it wasnt quite clever enough - I don't think it was a fabulous film by any means but compare it to Batman and Robin? Speed 2? Its not as bad as that! Rent it if you are a Benicio/Alicia/Walken fan but otherwise you'll probably just feel robbed...

See this film for the first half hour thats all and while your watching it keep thinking to yourself 'not too long ago this actually happened'. Forget the crap in the middle for me that ruined the film cause the brutally realistic and horrific beginning just went downhill into sappy cliched hollywood stuff. I dont think Spielburg pulled this off as well as he could have. Its all very patriotic to america making out like they were the only ones fighting the war. No other nationalities apart from the Germans who are very cliched in this film very evil and cold blooded not human at all which even though they were on the opposite side they were human too just like the americans. I thought the way they were portrayed was very bitter and if youre going to make a good anti war movie you have to get across the message that war is futile and affects and hurts everyone not just one nationality that is why it is so pointless. The film is visually raw and bleak like it should be but i think the storyline flaws it too much and spielberg could have done a bit better.