Having Annette Bening (The Report) and Bill Nighy (The Bookshop) going toe-to-toe in a family drama is one huge reason to see Hope Gap. That said, the feature is also directed by acclaimed screenwriter William Nicholson, whose “storied” career includes penning the scripts for Gladiator, Unbroken, Les Misérables, and Nell.
I haven’t seen Shadowlands since its 1993 release, but that film’s emotional power (just one of its many assets) continues to inhabit my memory bank even to this day. It’s definitely time for a rewatch of that Richard Attenborough drama (Anthony Hopkins is C.S. Lewis and Debra Winger stars as poet Joy Gresham), and I remember shedding my share of tears after watching Shadowlands. I’m “hoping” that Hope Gap, which centers on a couple’s (Annette Bening, Bill Nighy) divorce in a seaside town, will also take hold of my attention (and rather fragile emotions!). John O’Connor co-stars as the estranged couple’s son, and Nicholson also penned the PG-13 rated feature.
Hope Gap hits theaters March 6 via Roadside Attractions and Screen Media. The trailer is below, and if you are a fan of Shadowlands (which is based on Nicholson’s play), feel free to comment below!!
