Hope Springs - 3 1/2 smiles

Despite the promos that suggest “Hope Springs” is a fluffy romantic comedy, it’s a serious look at a marriage of 31 years that has stalled. Plus the two stars, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones, are perfect, especially Jones as a vulnerable, touchy and shy man who isn’t interested in getting in touch with his feelings. Arnold (Jones) is a moderately successful tax accountant, a creature of habit whose marriage has frozen into routine. His wife, Kay (Streep), is sweet and non-demanding although she wonders what happened to the man she married. Every day starts with his nose buried in the newspaper and ends with him asleep in front of the Golf channel. They haven’t slept in the same room for years. Desperate for a change, Kay signs them up for a week of couples’ therapy in the town of Great Hope Springs, Maine, where marriage expert Dr. Feld (Steve Carell) sees patients. Arnold goes along, but he complains all the while. Arnold is a curmudgeon of the highest order. In fact, if he isn’t complaining about something, he probably wouldn’t even talk to Kay.

Streep and Jones’ performances go a long way toward elevating the script. Their therapy scenes are expertly acted and paced, with their body language and expressions speaking volumes. Once they being answering questions, they reveal regrets and resentments, yearnings and fantasies they never dared speak aloud before. Jones’ Arnold is perpetually exasperated and emotionally closed off, but he’s convinced himself he’s content. And the way Jones’ reveals Arnold’s vulnerability adds depth to the character. And Streep is, well, Streep. She’s great, but then, she’s always great. Here, her Kay is slightly naïve and goofy, but she seems real. Kay longs to be loved, but you also realize that she is partially to blame for the state of her marriage. And Carell, who plays his role with calm seriousness, is very effective as the adviser who helps Kay and Arnold realign their marriage. The message is clear – it will take work to keep your relationship alive, but the effort will be worth it.  Thanks to tremendous performances from Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep, “Hope Springs” is a delightful film. 8/8/12