HOPE SPRINGS
Starring Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell
Directed by David Frankel
Dealing with a couple of 31 years whose marriage has lost its spark, this initially appears to be just another one of those innocuous palette cleansers (Ã la Its Complicated) that Meryl Streep serves up between her more prestigious work. However, almost immediately, Vanessa Taylors screenplay exhibits some welcome emotional complexity that refuses to be undone by David Frankels cloying direction.
The films unpromising title is taken from the New England community that Kay (Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) retreat to at her insistence. No longer sharing a bed, much less any meaningful conversations, shes enrolled them in a weeks worth of intensive marriage counselling with Dr. Bernie Feld (Steve Carell, somewhat distracting in a primarily non-comedic role). Thoroughly unimpressed, Arnold indulges in the sort of curmudgeonly griping that Jones is capable of uttering in his sleep.
That said, Hope Springs distinguishes itself by skilfully delving into the deep-seated frustration festering under that standoffish facade. It quickly becomes apparent that Arnold is desperately avoiding actual conversation through his sarcastic barbs. In turn, we see how any honest expression represents a Herculean task for him. Similarly, theres initially the sense that Streep is simply going through the paces. However, this abates once we understand that its actually Kay whos playing a character.
While delivering several quality laughs, Taylors script is most successful in its frank depiction of how a romantic relationship can change over time, allowing intimacy to cede to insecurity. At a time of year dedicated to mindless entertainment, this represents a genuine rarity: a mature and thoughtful studio comedy thats capable of inspiring self-reflection.
