Review of Hope Springs (2012) by Dawdlingpoet — 23 Nov 2021

This is a film that I imagine most people who have been married for a decade or two (or longer) could relate to, to one extent or another. Its not recommended for anyone who is prudish (embarrassed about hearing details of someone elses sex life), although the themes are handled relatively well and its not entirely exploitative, compared to other films about younger peoples sex life I reckon.

I thought it was amusing at times and cringe-y at others and I thought that, cast wise, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones seemed to get on well together. It didn't surprise me that Tommy Lee Jones' character wasn't, lets say, best pleased at the prospect of attending intensive couples therapy and I could feel his frustration and embarrassment at the relevant moments but I also thought that Steve Carrel also did particularly well in the role of the therapist/counseller.

This isn't an over the top sort of a film, its a well made film about a middle aged couple whereby the wife wonders what future there may be in her marriage. Its perhaps not the most obviously funny scenario there is but I think there is a re-assuring angle to it and its a pretty decent film, if your ok with the subject areas covered then yes, I would recommend it.