Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones go at it together to save their marriage in the movie, “Hope Springs”.

Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones go at it together to save their marriage in the movie, “Hope Springs”.   Want to know how to make your relationship work?  You both have to care about it and get into it.

This was a lovely film about an older couple who has been married for 31 years. They both have settled into the routine of their lives. The wife is very aware that it has grown stale and she longs to have that spark put back into their relationship. The husband doesn’t understand this, but when he realizes he might lose her and that she is serious, he unwillingly goes along with it. What truly makes this movie are the two lead actors, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. They both offer exceptional performances bringing comedy and drama into a real life situation. Meryl ads just the right girlishness into her character, Kay, while Tommy invokes a guy cut off from all emotion as her Husband, Arnold.

Although these days I wonder who is still around that has been married for 31 years. My generation doesn’t seem to have a handle on long term relationships to begin with. They do not know how to make it work or are even aware of what it truly entails. It’s not all hearts and roses. This movie would be a great documentary on how to show that marriage and long term relationships are serious business.

Kay enrolls she and her husband into a week long extensive couples therapy session in Hope Springs, Maine. It’s a quaint, cottage like town where everyone knows that many of the visitors are there to meet up with the head couples counselor, Dr. Feld, played by Steve Carrell.   Kay is desperate to revive her marriage at all costs and Arnold will be forced to get into it whether he likes it or not.

Do they find a newness in each other and passion for what was once there? You’ll have to see the movie to find out. I enjoyed this look at a married couple finding an avenue to breath new life into their relationship. It was very honest and moving. The movie manages to keep it light while finding just the right moments to bring in the emotion. This is mainly successful due to the gifted actors playing the roles. In less capable hands, this movie would’ve fallen into a snooze fest. Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones are a delight to watch in action.

Other movie goers who prefer the blow ’em blockbusters that move at a fast pace will likely be bored with this though. I imagine those not knowing much about the seriousness of relationships will also likely want to slit their wrists while watching this. I loved it and I think anyone who has had problems in a long term relationship will be moved by this movie. If you enjoy character driven stories, then you may like this as well.