When she hears of a renowned couple’s specialist (Steve Carell) in the small town of Great Hope Springs, she attempts to persuade her skeptical husband, a steadfast man of routine, to get on a plane for a week of marriage therapy. Just convincing the stubborn Arnold to go on the retreat is hard enough – the real challenge for both of them comes as they shed their bedroom hang-ups and try to re-ignite the spark that caused them to fall for each other in the first place.
A poignant tale well told and beautifully acted by Meryl Streep, a doyenne to young actors everywhere. Tommy Lee Jones proves he can play more than just grumpy old man with his touching performance. The characters were well illustrated by the acting and the writing. It was easy to be drawn into the life of a couple who has been married for 30 years but have somehow lost each other on their journey.
When the couple go to couples counselling, its as if we are in the room with them and can feel their embarassment of being asked intimate questions about their relationship by the counsellor played by Steve Carel, who it was nice to see in a straight role. Who can forget his 40 year old virgin.
It was nice to watch a movie where no 3D, guns, or Vampires were required. A human story that could happen to anyone of us, has already happened, you might know this couple or be them.
Thoughts were provoked and there was much laughter as the audience recognized ourselves and each other in the funny little things people do whilst just living.
HOPE SPRINGS
Highly recommended
