Hope (1997 film)

Hope is a 1997 American historical drama television film directed by Goldie Hawn. The film stars Christine Lahti, Jena Malone, Catherine O'Hara, Jeffrey D. Sams, and J. T. Walsh. It is set amid the early 1960s paranoia manufactured by the Cuban Missile Crisis and the growing restlessness of the Civil Rights Movement.[1]

Hope
Film poster
Written byKerry Kennedy
Directed byGoldie Hawn
Starring
Theme music composerDave Grusin
ComposerSteve Porcaro
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
Production
Executive producers
ProducerAmanda DiGiulio
CinematographyRic Waite
EditorMichael D. Ornstein
Running time100 minutes
Production companies
  • Cherry Alley Productions
  • Camino Palmero Productions
  • Finnegan/Pinchuk Productions
Release
Original networkTNT
Original release
  • October 19, 1997 (1997-10-19)

The film received positive reviews from critics, with Malone and Walsh being nominated for a Golden Globe Award and a Primetime Emmy Award, respectively, for their performances.

Plot

Kate is a young intelligent girl, living in dreary small town in the early 1960s. She lives an ordinary life with her mother, a stroke victim, and her Uncle Ray, who owns a theater. Everything changes when a 8 year old black boy dies in a fire in Uncle Ray's theater.

Cast
  • Alissa Alban as Mrs. Schifflett
  • Rodger Boyce as Judge Patterson
  • Brady Coleman as Cecil Thompson
  • Connie Cooper as Mrs. Tabor
  • Haylie Duff as Martha Jean Pruitt
  • Lauryn Pithey-Petrie as Talitha DuPree
  • Gil Glasgow as Sheriff
  • Nik Hagler as Fire Marshal Tabor
  • Ira "Bud" Haynie as Bailiff
  • Christine Lahti as Emma Percy
  • Chris Lane as Sylvester Potter
  • Linda Longserre as Mother At Theater
  • Jena Malone as Lilly Kate Burns
  • Alex Morris as Porter Johnson
  • Mozelle Moses-Felder as Josephine
  • Lee Norris as Billy October
  • Catherine O'Hara as Muriel MacSwain
  • J. Suzanne Rampe as Emma Stunt Double
  • Jeffrey D. Sams as Jediah Walker
  • Charles Sanders as Emery Gill
  • Hope Shiver as Mrs. Monroe
  • Joe Stevens as Flint
  • Harold Suggs as Old Man Scruggs
  • Mary Ellen Trainor as Maize Burns
  • J. T. Walsh as Ray Percy
  • Eric Bennett Weems as Lonnie Tabor
  • Brandi Werlinger as Talitha's Friend
  • Bill Wise as Deputy Sheriff
  • Kevin Jamal Woods as Cleavell Monroe

Filming

Principal photography on the film began in June 1997. The story is set in a fictional Mississippi town, but was filmed in three towns in Texas.[2]

Release

The film premiered on TNT on October 19, 1997. It was released on VHS by Warner Home Video.

Reception

Critical response

The film received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised Goldie Hawn's direction and the performances of the cast. Ray Richmond of Variety wrote that Hawn "embodies a surprising maturity and assurance directing this tearjerker" and "also benefits in Hope from some terrific acting support via principals Jena Malone, Christine Lahti, Jeffrey D. Sams, J. T. Walsh and Catherine O'Hara; all are at the top of their game, and it's a tribute to Hawn that they are." He concluded his review with, "Hawn displays an impressive knack for imagery, and for allowing her cast the freedom to shine."[1] Steven Linan of the Los Angeles Times noted that Hawn "has the distinct advantage of working with a very good cast."[3] Scott D. Pierce of Deseret News stated that "Hope is very nicely mounted, with plenty of money thrown into the production."[4] Chris Kaltenbach of The Baltimore Sun called the film "a quiet, thoughtful, well-acted piece of work filled with what its title suggests."[5]

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Receipt Result
1998 American Cinema Editors Eddie Awards Best Edited Two-Hour Movie for Commercial Television Michael D. Ornstein Nominated
Golden Globe Awards Best Actress in a Miniseries or Television Film Jena Malone Nominated
Lone Star Film & Television Awards Best TV Director Goldie Hawn Won
Best TV Supporting Actress Christine Lahti Won
Primetime Emmy Awards Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie J. T. Walsh Nominated
YoungStar Awards Best Young Actress in a Mini-Series/Made for TV Film Jena Malone Nominated

References
  1. Richmond, Ray (October 19, 1997). "Hope". Variety. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  2. Brennan, Patricia (October 19, 1997). "COMING OF AGE IN THE COLD WAR". The Washington Post. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  3. Linan, Steven (October 19, 1997). "Goldie Hawn has 'Hope' about serious issues; 'Over the Top' is under the wire; HBO's 'Joe'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  4. Pierce, Scott D. (October 19, 1997). "Goldie Hawn tries her luck as a director". Deseret News. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
  5. Kaltenbach, Chris (October 19, 1997). "Goldie Hawn makes her debut as the director of a TV movie". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved August 11, 2021.
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