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.
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.
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." Steven Linan of the Los Angeles Times noted that Hawn "has the distinct advantage of working with a very good cast." Scott D. Pierce of Deseret News stated that "Hope is very nicely mounted, with plenty of money thrown into the production." Chris Kaltenbach of The Baltimore Sun called the film "a quiet, thoughtful, well-acted piece of work filled with what its title suggests."