“Under normal circumstances, Hope Springs is not the kind of movie I would have any interest in whatsoever. Throw Meryl Streep into the mix and all bets are off. That woman is a goddess. I would see her read the phone book, and would then lead the campaign for her Academy Award nomination. I was still a little on the fence about it though, but Steve Carrell was the tipping point.
I did not expect to relate to the movie at all. And in truth, I didn’t. But that doesn’t mean that I didnt get anything out of it. God knows I’m a looooooong way off from being an aging woman in a rut of a 31 year marriage, but the movie gave me so much to think about in terms of where I want my life to end up and how to go about getting it there. Vague enough? Not quite worth going into details on that.
Anyways, as to be expected, Streep was worth the price of admission. I felt my emotions bouncing up and down along with her, and it really just took a slight change of facial expression for her to convey a whole lifetime’s worth of experience and feeling. She had this very careful vulnerability and cautious excitement in her character. Very unlike the characters in most movies I tend to watch.
The boys were good as well. Tommy Lee Jones plays such a loveable grump, and was incredibly well matched with Meryl. Kinda toed the line of being so ornery that you didn’t like him, but he too had some incredible vulnerability and sweetly tender moments. Steve Carrell was fantastic too. He’s mostly known for his comedy, but he plays it straight just as well. Such a calm and soothing demeanor, I really could buy him as a therapist.
I was debating back and forth whether or not to recommend this movie to my mom. Ultimately I decided not to suggest to my conservative mother that I enjoyed a film that had a lot of candid conversations about sex. Nothing was raunchy or inappropriate about it, but there’s just certain things you dont discuss with your parents.
Hope Springs – \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/