Hope Gap is a 2019 British drama film written and directed by William Nicholson, adapted from his 1999 play The Retreat from Moscow. The film stars Annette Bening, Bill Nighy, Josh O'Connor, Aiysha Hart, Ryan McKen, Steven Pacey and Nicholas Burns.
Hope Gap had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019 and was released in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2020 by Curzon Artificial Eye.
Premise
A family drama of the aftermath of a husband's revelation that he is leaving after 29 years of marriage.
Cast
Annette Bening as Grace
Bill Nighy as Edward
Josh O'Connor as Jamie
Aiysha Hart as Jess
Ryan McKen as Dev
Steven Pacey as Solicitor
Nicholas Burns as Gary
Rose Keegan as Receptionist
Nicholas Blane as Priest
Sally Rogers as Angela
Liam Hadfield as Waiter
Production
The project was announced on October 31, 2017, with William Nicholson directing and writing the story, and Annette Bening and Bill Nighy cast to play the husband and wife at the centre of the film.
Pre-production began on June 11, 2018, with principal photography starting on July 10. Filming occurred in Seaford, Sussex.
Release
In May 2019, Roadside Attractions and Screen Media Films acquired US distribution rights to the film. It had its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on 6 September 2019. It was released in the United States on 6 March 2020. It was released in the United Kingdom on 28 August 2020.
Reception
Box office
Hope Gap grossed $104,732 in the United States and Canada and $7,832 in other territories for a worldwide total of $112,564.
Critical response
On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of based on reviews, with an average rating of . The website's critical consensus reads, "Annette Bening and Bill Nighy are just about worth the price of admission, but Hope Gap lacks enough depth to really leave an impact." On Metacritic, the film has a weighted average score of 58 out of 100 based on 23 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".