Hope Floats

Hope Floats: Music from the Motion Picture (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Have you got that one go-to movie that you always watch when you just want something to watch but aren’t sure what? I do. It’s kind of poignant, sappy, sweet and very hopeful. Actually, it is “Hope Floats.” There are a couple of scenes that just make me cry like a baby. But there are a few scenes that make me smile and wish and wonder if some things are actually true. I know life isn’t exactly like the movies, but sometimes I sure wish it was. Then again, sometimes I am grateful it isn’t.

There is something about this movie, though, that catches my heart each and every time. The main male character reminds me of someone from my past who had a piece of my heart so big that I didn’t know what to do with it when he was no longer a part of my life.  Harry Connick, Jr. has a way of looking up and giving a sweet smile that makes me catch my breath and think. It takes me back to a moment in time every time I see that look.

I also love the vulnerable insecurity of Birdee, the main character played by Sandra Bullock. I love Sandra Bullock anyway. But she pulled off sweet, vulnerable, and insecure so beautifully and realistically. She said so many wonderful lines during the movie that made me really think.

Here’s some of my favorite lines:

Birdee: “Childhood is what you spend the rest of your life trying to overcome. That’s what momma always says. She says that beginnings are scary, endings are usually sad, but it’s the middle that counts the most. Try to remember that when you find yourself at a new beginning. Just give hope a chance to float up. And it will, too… “

Conversation between Birdee and her soon-to-be-ex-husband:

Birdee Pruitt: I would have stayed with you forever. I would have turned myself inside out for you.
Bill Pruitt: Birdee, I wouldn’t have let you! People grow. They change. They have to!
Birdee Pruitt: You think that I don’t know that? I know that I’m not what I once was. I know that! But I haven’t changed so much, that I would go and lie to someone that I love. God, I would walk through fire before I’d let them feel like they were nothing! And I would never break up anybody’s home. Because I am not a quitter. I care about my family! I may not be the same person, but then again, neither are you. You’re sad, you’re weak, and you’re… shorter. If you want to know the truth.

Justin Matisse: “Dancing’s just a conversation between two people. Talk to me.”

Birdie and her Mama talking about her soon-to-be-ex-husband:

Birdee Pruitt: You just never liked Bill.
Ramona Calvert: Oh, I like all of God’s creatures; I just like some of them better stuffed. And he’s one of them.

 

I know life isn’t always like the movies. But there are times when it is. I miss the times when I had a Justin Matisse. Sometimes this movie does give me hope. I suppose hope really does float.

So what is your go-to favorite movie?

 

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Eat Pray Love

I saw the movie last year and loved it but I kept hearing how good the book was. I generally like to read the book first and then watch the movie. Or sometimes I like to just watch the movie or just read the book. Why? Because one generally ruins the other. You have one that is so much better than the other and then you are left with disappointment. But I went ahead and read the book after having seen the movie. Surprisingly, I love both. While the author’s physical description of herself does not fit Julia Roberts, the personality is really captured by Julia Roberts. I can only think of one other actress who could have pulled off the range involved in this book and that is Sandra Bullock. She has comedic ability as well as dramatic.

I’ve read negative reviews of this book and movie, but I liked it. Maybe it’s because it is such a great and refreshing way of looking at a journey. It was a life journey because it involved the search for happiness in all aspects. The author was trying to figure out who she was within herself, within life, with God, and with or without love. I felt like someone had peeked into my life except I haven’t done the traveling part of the book. I have done this same journey, though, without traveling at all. This book gave me some insight into myself as well as my relationship with God. And maybe that is the problem for the people giving negative reviews; they haven’t experienced this journey. That’s fine. But so many of us do and this is insight into one person’s journey.

If you’re questioning your journey in life, this might be a helpful book just to let you know someone else has been down the same figurative road. Don’t be surprised by some of her “colorful” language. She may be working on spirituality but it didn’t affect her vocabulary.

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Southern Movies and TV Shows

Do you ever watch movies and tv shows specifically about the South? When I do I can’t help but listen closely to the accents and see how real they sound. Some of them make me roll my eyes so far back in my head that I wonder if they’ll get stuck. And it is like I am drawn to those shows and movies. I can’t help it. I think it is because I would love for something to finally accurately portray life in the South.

The Real Housewives of Atlanta do NOT represent real life in the South. So please don’t ever think that. Southern women can be mean as snakes but they typically aren’t as brash and loud about it. We don’t wear 50s style clothing and smile like a Stepford wife, but we sure can get our point across. Bless your heart for thinking otherwise!

I think some examples of movies that I think of as Southern movies are Steel Magnolias, Hope Floats, and Sweet Home Alabama. Now the women of Steel Magnolias are true Southern women! The accents may not have been great, but they had the attitude of real Southern women. I was actually kinda surprised that Julia Roberts’ accent was worse than some of the other actresses, especially considering she was raised in Georgia.

Sandra Bullock in Hope Floats was the epitome of a Southern woman. She had a real accent that wasn’t over the top and was just right. I think she lived in Virginia for a while. That might have been quite helpful. I loved her character.

I think Reese Witherspoon is adorable but she got a little twangy in Sweet Home Alabama. But I will say that the scene where she punched Candice Bergen and said, “Nobody talks to my Mama like that!” was perfect! Just about any Southern girl who was raised right would do that. I also liked the references to the state of Alabama in the movie. People who aren’t from Alabama wouldn’t get them, but Alabamians (yes, I’m from there) got them. The dog’s name, Bryant, was after Paul “Bear” Bryant. There is really a motel down in South Alabama called the Golden Cherry Motel. (My ex-husband had a friend whose uncle owned it.)

I’ve just started watching Hart of Dixie and some of the accents make me gag. I also don’t like how they portray the majority of Southern women as simpering twits. We’re not. We may speak slower but we aren’t stupid. I do like that they show Southern hospitality but we aren’t all up each other’s butts. (well, most of the time anyway.)

I guess the my point is, when you watch the shows with Southern characters take it with a grain of salt. Some of those accents might not be real and most likely the characters don’t represent true Southerners. Laugh at the art but not at the real people.

My Life Is a Soap Opera

These are the days of my life…and boy are they crazy! I don’t think a soap opera writer could write them any better! Hmmm…remember that movie where there was someone writing what the guy was living? Maybe that is my life! It sure feels like it!

Drama! Drama! At least I play myself quite well. I think I would rather have Sandra Bullock play the part, though. I like her. I think she would make a good stand in for me. I don’t know her personally but the characters she has played often remind me of myself. Or maybe I’m just a little narcissistic. Who knows?! Afterall, my life is a soap opera.

This has been the month of exes! I must be abso-freaking-lutely amazing because quite a few exes have been in my life in the last month. One came back to apologize. I was impressed. Not many men do that. Upstanding thing to do. He and I are now friends on Facebook and we send a “Hey!” here and there. The other ex–the most recent ex–had blocked me on Facebook. (I was so bad he wanted to pretend I didn’t exist.) OK. Fine. Be that way. Life goes on. Right? So Friday I get this thing on Facebook stating “Jerk (I use this name instead of his real name to protect him and me) suggests you check out his page.” Hey, Jerk, no! We’re not friends. We’re exes. We didn’t part on good terms. You owe me an apology. Why would I want to check out your page? Now he didn’t send a friend request. I think that was the toe in the water to see if it was cold. It is. Ice cold. Frigid. Now if he apologized there might be some warmth to the water. I forgave already because I am supposed to. But there still needs to be a HUGE apology or multiple apologies. While I may have forgiven, I sure didn’t forget!

So this morning I get up and take my shower and am doing my thing. Get a text on my phone. The nice ex seems to be saying he didn’t realize I lived in Asheville now. Come on! You looked me up on Facebook to find me but didn’t realize where I was living now? It’s not hidden. He acted surprised by the fact.

So what is up with the soap opera? Am I the only one who lives one?

Tune in tomorrow…or maybe later today if more drama arises. (P.S. I must have had an impact, though. Years later and some of them still can’t forget me!)