Hope Springs (2012)

Too much of everything

This movie was so-so. It had it's moments, but wasn't the greatest.

It’s not bad or unwatchable but despite the amplitude of the spectacle, the end result is underwhelming.

Blistering performances.

The kind of film that you don't need to pay too much attention to, and feels generally lighthearted and full of warmth. However, its audience is targeted towards the more mature range, a trend that is increasingly becoming a popular niche. An old married couple are having issues with their relationship, so much so that they sleep in separate rooms and do not touch each other. Reluctantly they seek the advice of a counsellor in an attempt to rekindle their sexual intimacy. Old people, marriage counselling and sexual frustrations, not exactly a blockbuster formula. In fact, it's rather rare to witness a film that explores mature relationships. Why? Because it's awkward to watch...and the target demographic is small. But mostly because it's awkward. So I appreciate the delicate and intricate depiction of those issues, but the major problem is that it was portrayed awkwardly. I understand it's a taboo subject for most people, but to convey its awkwardness constantly throughout the entire runtime felt slightly immature. It would've been more suitable for comedic purposes, but the authentic and natural approach prevented that and so I found myself feeling awkward. To the point where I was cringing at certain scenes. Not because of its contents, it could've been far more intellectually executed to create something fresh, but it falls down to the "Sunday afternoon" category. Tommy Lee Jones was excellently cast as the grumpy closed minded husband. Meryl Streep enhances the emotional frustration and innocence, although at times I found her to be overacting. There were moments where I felt the complexity of their relationship and related to them. Attempts made from both sides to save, not only their marriage, but themselves. The ending felt too neat and safe, the more realistic ending would've been far more poignant and memorable. Hope Springs does address a subject that isn't talked about much in an endearing way, it just felt too awkward and clichéd for my own personal taste.

This movie is amazing also if have some exaggeration, it analyzes, in suave way, the relationship between a couple with many funny moments and very smart and funny dialogues. The recitation of the protagonists is absolutely amazing: Jones and Streep are perfect in those roles. It is one of the most smart movie I've ever seen which recalls Silver Linings Playbook where good feelings and genuine souls win.

for its deep realism. for the fascinating artistic duel between two great actors. for Steve Carell who represents a real revelation for his admirable performance. it is a film who impress for a great script, for humor, for grow up of old feelings, for fears, vulnerabilities, desires and the fight against yourself. and, more important, for the trip in an aspect of middle age couple who has the admirable virtue to be example of wise equilibrium. a film about a marriage and its new beginning. simple, direct, convincing, refreshing. a honest portrait about a delicate theme. and a great work because it is not easy to imagine better interpreters as Kay and Arnold. sure, a good film. maybe great. for its delicate exploration of an age and the feelings who define it.see it ! not for admire the acting. but for understand rules of a too serious game.

Hope Springs (2012): Dir: David Frankel / Cast: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell, Jean Smart, Elisabeth Shue: David Frankel scored big with the awesome The Devil Wears Prada, and while this film isn't as successful, it still addresses an issue regarding marriages that have grown stale and routine. It regards reclaiming that initial spark. The film stars Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as that married couple of thirty-one years. She uses her savings to answer an ad regarding a marriage therapist in Main, and her husband reluctantly goes along. The film's biggest payoff is the casting of Streep and Jones who have great comic chemistry, especially when challenged to address intimacy. Streep yearns for the compassion while Jones would prefer not to address it, sidelining it with many of the film's best lines. This becomes somewhat repetitious as they leave each session with tasks that intrude their personal comfort zone. One of the funniest scenes regards an attempt at oral sex in a movie theatre. We know where it ends but older viewers will likely relate to its issues and its humour. Steve Carell holds his own as the counsellor providing another layer of humour without mugging from the central characters. We are told that he is married but little comes outside of the sessions. He does provide a decent comic counter to Streep and Jones. Other roles are also as flat as the initial marriage in question. The message is long lasting intimacy within marriage. In the end, the hope springs from brave performances from Streep and Jones that remind us that marriage can have value. Score: 7 ½ / 10