Hope Springs (B+ or 3/4 stars)
Arnold & Kay (Tommy Lee Jones, Meryl Streep) are a devoted couple, but 31 yrs. of an increasingly stale marriage have left her wanting to reconnect with her husband in 'Hope Springs' (directed by David Frankel, The Devil Wears Prada). Their kids have grown up, left home, & she is getting restless in their dull everyday routine. She cooks him a breakfast of egg & bacon; which he eats while reading the morning paper. They don't talk except for saying goodbye as he walks out the door for work. This couple has always remained loyal to each other. But it's the little things that really chip away/bother Kay; like Arnold's obsession with watching golf on tv or his refusal to give her personal gifts on important occasions. i.e., their last anniversary gift was a cable TV package.
Day in, day out, he barely interacts with her (physically or emotionally). They sleep in separate bedrooms. And they haven't made love in 5 yrs.. Wanting desperately to regain love & intimacy, Kay uses $$ from her own savings to reserve a week at Dr. Feld's (Steve Carell) renowned marriage therapy clinic up in Great Hope Springs, Maine. Confessing to Arnold that she wants a real marriage again, she gives him a plane ticket & tells him she will be on said plane the next day. At first, he firmly rejects the idea. But when he sees her leaving for the airport, he changes his mind & reluctantly joins her at the last moment.
Most of the film concentrates on what occurs during the intense week of therapy, both in-session with Dr. Feld & out - when Arnold & Kay perform homework exercises that include things like hugging, holding, & taking baby steps toward sexual reconnection. Some of these re-connecting scenes are uncomfortable {in a good way} & there's a real sense of growth in the characters that can be attributed to the screenplay, but mostly to the performances of TL Jones & Meryl Streep. As Kay, a subdued Meryl will make you laugh, yet also break your heart. As Arnold, Tommy Lee is surly, but also tender (as the film progresses).
The characters here are universal. They could be our own parents, grandparents, co-workers, etc.. Problems in marriage are commonplace. Nothing major has happened ... and yet, they simply have grown apart {which is sometimes more worrying}. They are frightened of intimacy with one another. Kay has never had a sexual fantasy & Arnold is embarrassed to confess his. After they each tell Dr. Feld about their best & worst sexual experiences, Kay still has doubts about whether or not her husband is turned on by her; as is evidenced in a lengthy, wonderful, but ultimately heartbreaking scene at an Inn. Setbacks occur on any path of discovery & healing. Kay understands the main problem with their marriage. And by the end of the film, Arnold recognizes it as well {hoping for the best}.
I really enjoyed 'Hope Springs'. That said, the musical soundtrack undercuts some of the more powerful/poignant moments. And the wonderful performances make up for a daring script that doesn't delve as deep as it could have. But that's nitpicking. 'Hope Springs' offers an intriguing blend of adult sexual humor & startling insight into the harsh realities of married life. We see how couples can develop very different perceptions of what it means to be married & whether or not they should work harder at it. I enjoyed the sweet tone of the movie. I empathized with the characters during the sad, emotionally-naked moments. And the movie will likely speak to all couples who see the value of renewing their damaged relationship & falling in love ... all over again.
Day in, day out, he barely interacts with her (physically or emotionally). They sleep in separate bedrooms. And they haven't made love in 5 yrs.. Wanting desperately to regain love & intimacy, Kay uses $$ from her own savings to reserve a week at Dr. Feld's (Steve Carell) renowned marriage therapy clinic up in Great Hope Springs, Maine. Confessing to Arnold that she wants a real marriage again, she gives him a plane ticket & tells him she will be on said plane the next day. At first, he firmly rejects the idea. But when he sees her leaving for the airport, he changes his mind & reluctantly joins her at the last moment.
Most of the film concentrates on what occurs during the intense week of therapy, both in-session with Dr. Feld & out - when Arnold & Kay perform homework exercises that include things like hugging, holding, & taking baby steps toward sexual reconnection. Some of these re-connecting scenes are uncomfortable {in a good way} & there's a real sense of growth in the characters that can be attributed to the screenplay, but mostly to the performances of TL Jones & Meryl Streep. As Kay, a subdued Meryl will make you laugh, yet also break your heart. As Arnold, Tommy Lee is surly, but also tender (as the film progresses).
The characters here are universal. They could be our own parents, grandparents, co-workers, etc.. Problems in marriage are commonplace. Nothing major has happened ... and yet, they simply have grown apart {which is sometimes more worrying}. They are frightened of intimacy with one another. Kay has never had a sexual fantasy & Arnold is embarrassed to confess his. After they each tell Dr. Feld about their best & worst sexual experiences, Kay still has doubts about whether or not her husband is turned on by her; as is evidenced in a lengthy, wonderful, but ultimately heartbreaking scene at an Inn. Setbacks occur on any path of discovery & healing. Kay understands the main problem with their marriage. And by the end of the film, Arnold recognizes it as well {hoping for the best}.
I really enjoyed 'Hope Springs'. That said, the musical soundtrack undercuts some of the more powerful/poignant moments. And the wonderful performances make up for a daring script that doesn't delve as deep as it could have. But that's nitpicking. 'Hope Springs' offers an intriguing blend of adult sexual humor & startling insight into the harsh realities of married life. We see how couples can develop very different perceptions of what it means to be married & whether or not they should work harder at it. I enjoyed the sweet tone of the movie. I empathized with the characters during the sad, emotionally-naked moments. And the movie will likely speak to all couples who see the value of renewing their damaged relationship & falling in love ... all over again.