A Refreshing Attempt at Oiling a Rusty Romp: Hope Springs

Hope Springs is a warm comedy/drama/romance, tackling the age-old challenge of stale marriage, and how to attempt fixing things. Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell do not disappoint in this not-so-easy quest, and deliver an entertaining diversion.

Hope Springs...Glimpsing Passion After 30 years?

Hope Springs... A Fun Jump Into Kickstarting an Unfun Marriage

Starring: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carrell
Directed by: David Frankel
Written by: Vanessa Taylor 
Released: August 2012 
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance

Synopsis: A humourous examination of a  marriage void of any passion after 30 years, and the quest for a cure while embarking on week-long couples counseling course in Maine.

Trailer



 "Hope Springs" takes a refreshing peek at stale marriage, mixing humour, candidness, and some courage in trying to mend a fragile union.

Kay Jones, (Meryl Streep) and her accountant husband Arnold, (Tommy Lee Jones)  are empty nesters, robotic in their daily routine, and sadly barren of any hint passion in their marriage after 31 years. Their  lives have become a is a dismal, mundane display of marriage, void of any affection and even interest. Arnold, primarily  a grumpy old man,  and is seems to only desire television instructional golf programming and his job, and drifts to sleep each night in his recliner.They sleep in separate beds , and only Kay seems frustrated with the situation but no indicators of anything wrong from Arnold.

Kay picks up a book at the bookstore about marriage advice, and after pondering its content, firmly decides that a week of counselling from the author of the book, Dr. Feld, (Steve Carrell), is the only possible resolution for her marriage duldrums. She pays for herself and Arnold for a week-long  marriage course at Feld’s office in a Maine called Hope Springs, and proceeds to tell her husband that the trip is booked, and she expects he will attend. Arnold reluctantly accompanies her bringing his no-point attitude in tow.

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The actors illuminate rather simple content, working sarcasm, and wit with ease. Carrell shines in his bluntness, yet does not overpower the main characters.
The action is occasionally awkward,  although there’s no nudity to speak of.  The fun moments are many, and the story is light, easy and uncomplicated.

 The reason to see it is for Jones. He typically engages roles requiring strong, determined men, in control, and lots of action in the mix. (Men in Black I, II) With this role,  he explores a  character who seems unlike any other he has played and delivers it with courage.

As Kay and Arnold stumble toward  considering intimacy, a playful display of their acting prowess emerges, rarely observed in Streep and practically never in Jones. Rather his signature rigid persona dissolves, into grins and tenderness. 

Hope Springs' sincere, considered, and unembarrassed exploration of mature sexuality marks a welcome exception, perhaps Hollywood's bold exploration of the aging population has been born.  A hilarious romp of tearing away the comfort zone, and examining the all too common scenarios many face in three plus decades of marriage.