Rediscovering magic spark in a long marriage
Hope Springs (12A, 100 mins)
Comedy/Romance. Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell,
Elisabeth Shue, Jean Smart, Ben Rappaport, Marin Ireland, Patch
Darragh, Mimi Rogers. Director: David Frankel.
Cinema audiences are ageing and film companies are gradually
acknowledging that they can no longer rely on 18- to 24-year-olds
to guarantee healthy box office returns.
The King's Speech amassed more than £45 million in the UK
because the often-ignored over-50s headed to the multiplexes in
their droves; the same crowds, who enthusiastically embraced The
Best Exotic Marigold Hotel starring Dame Judi Dench and Dame Maggie
Smith.
It's little wonder that filmmakers are looking for stories that
will appeal to older audiences, like Dustin Hoffman's forthcoming
directorial debut Quartet starring Smith and Michael Gambon set in
a retirement home for opera singers.
Hope Springs will certainly appeal to this flourishing
demographic.
David Frankel's joyful romantic comedy charts the affairs of the
heart of a long-time married couple, who are desperate to
rediscover the spark that brought them together more than 30 years
ago.
The script, penned by Vanessa Taylor, spares few blushes
including hilarious scenes of three-times Oscar winner Meryl Streep
practising her technique in private on a peeled banana, or
attempting to perk up screen husband Tommy Lee Jones with a
spontaneous act of giving in an empty cinema.
"The whole situation was just dangerous: all those cupholders,
rocking back and forth," he despairs after the impromptu amorous
adventure ends in disappointment.
Arnold Soames (Jones) and his wife Kay (Streep) celebrate their
latest wedding anniversary by buying each other cable television
subscriptions.
The couple's children Brad (Ben Rappaport) and Molly (Marin
Ireland) sense all is not well, but Arnold appears unconcerned,
content to stick to the same routines and sleep in a separate room
to his wife.
Kay is deeply unhappy.
"When was the last time you touched me that wasn't for a
picture?" she tearfully asks her spouse.
In desperation, Kay uses her savings to buy a series of
intensive couples counselling sessions with Dr Bernie Feld (Steve
Carell), who runs the courses from his offices in coastal
Maine.
Arnold begrudgingly accompanies Kay but he is reluctant to share
his feelings.
After much prodding from Dr Feld, the husband reveals he has
always dreamed about a threesome with their neighbour Carol (Mimi
Rogers).
It's a tentative first step towards greater openness that could
save the marriage.
Hope Springs is smart, funny and sweet, underpinned by
surprisingly convincing screen chemistry between Streep and Jones,
who both bring gravitas and deep emotion to their roles.
Tears flow freely between uproarious set pieces and Carell
provides strong support, helping Kay to articulate her deep-rooted
fear to her husband: "You don't want me, you want IT!"
An air of wistfulness drifts over the film as the couple learns
to rebuild trust and intimacy, discovering that it's never too late
to fall in love for the second time.
:: Swearing :: Sex :: No violence :: Rating: 7/10
To find local screenings for Hope Springs, click here
12/09/12
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