By: Casey Menninger
http://www2.richmond.com/entertainment/2012/aug/17/hope-springs-movie-review-ar-2136128/
Paragraph 1: The opening line catches your attention because it uses both "marriage counseling" and "baby boomer" together. Although, the baby boomers today are older adults, when reading the sentence, you first think babies and marriage - what a funny combination.
Paragraph 2: The reviewer continues to applaud the movie, stating that the realities of a couple as a marriage grows older isn't always peachy perfect. It seems as though Hollywood made a decent film with real problems and issues today - one that speaks to a different audience in terms of age. Normally, sex + intimacy targets the younger crowd, but this summer, the sex + intimacy mixed with comic and sadness targets the "baby boomers".
Paragraph 3: Once again, it is stated that this type of movie is a rare breed. Movies are hardly made nowadays for the older generation folks. It makes a reference to "Somethings Gotta Give", a film also about older adults and relationships, but it differs because this movie isn't about finding love. It is about rekindling a marriage after 3 decades together - one that used to have physical affection and showers of love, but now is crusty and de-heartening.
Paragraph 4: A brief synopsis of the film - a couple, whose kids have long grown up and moved out of the house, is left with no physical attraction or connection to one another. This can target millions of Americans, making it an actual film that one could relate to. Sleeping in separate bedrooms, but not making a change in their marriage, makes it appear that they are unhappy but they are too far into their lives to make a change now.
Paragraph 5: The wife, Kay (Meryl Streep), decides to make a change and after several failed attempts, she manages to drag her husband, Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones), away to the mystical land of Great Hope Springs, Maine to get intensive marriage counseling from Dr. Bernard Feld (Steve Carell). This gives you the basis for the rest of the film.
Paragraph 6: This film is compared to "The Story of Us", a similar situation but without the drama of endless screaming matches and psychobabble. It recognizes what was once a good marriage, and still could be, once the spark is reignited. Comic is added to give a good laugh throughout, but it also touches on the serious side underneath.
Paragraph 7: Ok, so Dr. Feld is Mr. Comedian - or so we assume based on his past roles. But Dr. Feld is far from the funny guy - instead he acts like the responsible Therapist that one would envision.
Paragraph 8: A happy marriage must have sex or other physical showings of love and attraction - so when it doesn't, an unhappy marriage evolves. Although uncomfortable, communication is key - Kay and Arnold start to open up with the help of Dr. Feld.
Paragraph 9: Reality is hit dead on and Kay and Arnold need to look inside themselves and their marriage as to why exactly it went sour. Uncomfortable questions are asked by Dr. Feld - yet, they are the ones that open Kay's and Arnold's eyes to why their is such "distance" between them.
Paragraph 10: As the sessions continue, ever patient Dr. Feld is there to guide and help the couple as they start to spill their fantasies and hang ups concerning each other and the bedroom. It is recognized not as a funny moment, but as a rather real deal concerning marriages today.
Paragraph 11: The couple tries to engage in their "homework" - from cuddling to sexual touching. However, what was once a young happily married couple, is now two strangers still connected only through marriage.
Paragraph 12: The Director, David Frankel, makes both the stars shine in the characters they are playing - he brings comic into the scenes before it reaches soap opera status.
Paragraph 13: Streep's performance is compared to that of her performance in her Oscar-Winning role in "The Iron Lady". The strong female role she normally exhibits is placid here where she plays the timid housewife - unguarded with her feelings and her unhappiness in the marriage.
Paragraph 14: Jone's performance is noteworthy in that he is tender and caring - a role not normally in his character path.
Paragraph 15: Carrell, Mr. Comedian, shines through in a very adult role, making it clear he can shine in more than just one type of character.
Paragraph 16: The reviewer reinstates the truth and honesty behind this film, making it a must see for those "baby boomers".
1 comment:
Streep, Jones, and Carrell all own their roles and for that, the film succeeds in being a very light drama that shows us how dark and dull relationships can be. But also, how they can be brought back to life, by…well…you know sex. Nice review Kate.
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