Review of Hope Springs (2012) by Lancekoz — 15 Dec 2012

If my relationship was as bad as the one pictured, this film may be of benefit, or at least parts of it might be considered a bit therapeutic. But as a mainstream entertainment vehicle, it is not profound enough to be gripping and it isn't entertaining in any other way.

And casting the excellent Steve Carell as a therapist mislead me, and who knows how many others, into thinking of this as at least a sometimes humorous Hollywood look into marriage, which it is not. That may be a fault of my expectations but also should be a concern of those who market the film.

As a non-comedy, the music is too overpowering and inappropriate, the scenery too pretty, and the cliched actions of the husband too broadly cruel and inexplicable for any of it to have real gravity. Then, suddenly, there is repair and a cheerful ending, a disservice to the real work needed in saving a marriage this badly derailed.

There is a nugget for a tough, revelatory film about the common marital issue it tries to portray... but Hollywood is possibly too timid to make it. In any case, if you are looking for a light evening's entertainment, this IS NOT IT.