The movie is a bit sappy, particularly with its music, but what happens in the film is so true and painfully funny that it makes the flick totally enjoyable! The story is simple and has been approached in numerous different angles in other movies. But somehow, this one works because there are so many uncomfortable situations. After 30 years of marriage, daily boring routines set in and instead of intimacy, a huge distance has been created between the couple. Meryl Streep's character Kay best sums up the theme of the flick - you can be in a relationship but still feel lonelier than when you're alone!
I'm not a fan of Meryl Streep's, but I always think she's more talented playing comical roles (except for Mamma Mia) than her endless roles of impersonating historic characters like Margaret Thatcher or flaunting her multiple accents on the large screen. But the biggest surprise is macho Tommy Lee Jones who will probably get an Oscar nomination for his role as the husband Arnold. Not only does he have the best lines in the movie, but the 'constipated' look he puts on throughout the entire movie just cracks you up over and over again. Both Streep and Jones honestly display their aging bodies which make it more believable. And, of course, Streep's hairstyle and ghastly middle-aged wardrobe just say it all!
Steve Carell plays the unusual role of a marriage counsellor, and I was waiting for his comical role to surface, but he plays the role straight and I respect him for having successfully taken on this new challenge.
But the biggest kudos should go to Gen-Xer writer Vanessa Taylor who wrote the original screenplay. One would never imagine the writer and co-producer of popular TV series Game of Thrones could have written this movie about a stale relationship between a boomer couple!
Although Hope Springs didn't generate too many favourable reviews from professional critics, I would highly recommend this movie if you want a good laugh.
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