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Reviewed in the United States on September 4, 2020
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I tried to be open minded and give this movie a chance. I think both Tommy and Meryl gave a good performance and kudos to both for acting in a very uncomfortable movie. This issue is private and marriage is sacred. These issues can happen in any relationship. I have been married for almost 30 years so some things were straight on. However what I saw was a disrespectful, manipulative husband who is insensitive and resentful of his wife and a wife who needs some counseling and another focus instead of putting all of her hopes on her husband. That is a huge burden. She needs to look for joy and fun with other people and herself. I had to stop watching as I do not enjoy looking into people's private sex life. Exploring issues and seeing them share live would be okay but It was just too uncomfortable for me to continue. Besides that there are a lot of expletives people can use to express their frustration but I do not respect people using G. D. Or Jesus as one. That shows a lack of self-respect and I can do without that. I can not recommend the movie as an uplifting, inspirational or educational positive download to the brain. Maybe some people could laugh and enjoy this but the subject matter is a bit painful for me. I do think the movie ended well. Maybe a marriage like that can be saved and revived. I feel there is more to a good marriage than sex. Intimacy can be expressed by laughing together, shared goals, parenthood, and just respecting each others needs and differences. :)
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2018
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Such a fantastic movie. 2 of my favorite actors. It is so fitting for couples who have been together for several years or more. It really brings home what is important in life and how making assumptions about how your partner feels/thinks, can turn your life upside down. Needlessly!! Talking about things, even a little bit, can prevent years of misunderstanding and even worse, heartache. Heartache that is brought on by one assuming something totally incorrect. Heartache that gets worse and worse because of what one person has decided in their mind. Not based on any facts what so ever. The tiniest amount of communication can make a life time of difference. How much of our lives are wasted because of worry and fear of the unknown. It's not just a chick flick. MY husband, a cop, retired navy ,( Navy Seal)oved it too. Go for it. You will like!
I think many people will miss how profound this movie really is. It is the exception, I believe, to most marriages that have become routine. Would that every one of those could end up this way. If you don't have an appreciation for the depth of intimacy marriage requires, and the courage to change, I don't think you will realize how this ordinary little story is really a great one.
Reviewed in the United States on February 23, 2020
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I don't know. It made me just the slight bit uncomfortable, but then that's what was supposed to happen right? That Meryl and Tommy did such a good job as the Middle age empty nesters with "intimacy" issues that I felt it! I have to be honest, I have this image of Tommy as a military man, cowboy, and seeing him so vulnerable in this was strange, yet, watching him in the love scene with Meryl was a bit touching, seeing how badly they wanted to make things right, failing, and trying again. A very tender movie, strange music choices though.........
I wanted to give it four stars because it made me so uncomfortable in places. But it made me uncomfortable because it was so so SO well acted.
Maybe one of Streep's best performances. She is an amazing actress in the larger than life roles. I've seen her in a couple of roles that were "regular folk" but her... Amazing-ness always sort of hovered over the characters to me; even in "Bridges of Madison County" she played with such eligant craftsmanship that... well it was a little too...smooth? Anyhow. This one. She was so real, so vulnerable, so "normal" that I genuinely felt her humanity.
Jones also was amazing. His character appears to be a regular jerk, but Jones allows us very subtle and effective glimpses of vulnerabilities that the later parts of the film are believable. At first I was praying she would leave him. As the film progressed, I flip flopped on that several times. The fact that I could root for that marriage at all was owing to his acting.
Mr. Carrel was very straight and sincere and professional. As any really good "shrink" would react, not a bit of judgement or humor or silliness ever crossed his face. Only empathy, sincerity, the efficiency of a professionally detached yet experienced, caring and direct expert in his field. That was how the character came across, due to the expert acting.
The story. Not a comedy at all from my view. I have a friend who is in her 70s married 50 plus years. She advises "There may be years, YEARS, that you don't like a person, but in a real marriage the love is always there." This film illustrates how divorce can happen, and how healing can happen. Healing can be extraordinarily uncomfortable. It is very tempting to give uncomfortable things low ratings or chuck it off entirely- but in this case... five stars for dealing caringly with a common and awkward subject with genuine humanity and brilliant acting.
The acting was excellent, the dialog was excellent and if you would enjoy watching a movie that showcases a lack of intimacy between two people who have been married for thirty years, then it was an excellent plot. That all being said, this movie needed either more comedic relief or a more compelling reason for the couple to have grown so far apart for me to enjoy it.
Perhaps not as well known as Streep's other movies but it is certainly worth watching (and buying). She and Tommy Lee Jones (as her husband) worked well together. They are veteran actors who made us sit up and take notice despite little mention in the press. You have to work at marriage as you remember that "love" is a verb. Kudos to this couple for making hard work look so easy.
3.0 out of 5 starsHope Springs is a nice Sunday afternoon flick.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on December 18, 2017
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Hope Springs is a nice Sunday afternoon flick. The kind of film that you don't need to pay too much attention to, and feels generally lighthearted and full of warmth. However, its audience is targeted towards the more mature range, a trend that is increasingly becoming a popular niche. An old married couple are having issues with their relationship, so much so that they sleep in separate rooms and do not touch each other. Reluctantly they seek the advice of a counsellor in an attempt to rekindle their sexual intimacy. Old people, marriage counselling and sexual frustrations, not exactly a blockbuster formula. In fact, it's rather rare to witness a film that explores mature relationships. Why? Because it's awkward to watch...and the target demographic is small. But mostly because it's awkward. So I appreciate the delicate and intricate depiction of those issues, but the major problem is that it was portrayed awkwardly. I understand it's a taboo subject for most people, but to convey its awkwardness constantly throughout the entire runtime felt slightly immature. It would've been more suitable for comedic purposes, but the authentic and natural approach prevented that and so I found myself feeling awkward. To the point where I was cringing at certain scenes. Not because of its contents, it could've been far more intellectually executed to create something fresh, but it falls down to the "Sunday afternoon" category. Tommy Lee Jones was excellently cast as the grumpy closed minded husband. Meryl Streep enhances the emotional frustration and innocence, although at times I found her to be overacting. There were moments where I felt the complexity of their relationship and related to them. Attempts made from both sides to save, not only their marriage, but themselves. The ending felt too neat and safe, the more realistic ending would've been far more poignant and memorable. Hope Springs does address a subject that isn't talked about much in an endearing way, it just felt too awkward and clichéd for my own personal taste.
2.0 out of 5 starsHope Springs.Steve Carrell saves the day.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on January 30, 2020
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very boring.A couple go off to get there marriage back on track finding Steve Carrell playing it straight as the marriage councellor.All pretty dull,but Carrell just keeps you interested.Not Tommy Lee Jones or Meryl Streeps finest hour and a half.
Streep & Jones play a couple of 31 years who have very much become stale whilst their marriage has devolved into something less than happy.
They play the quiet awkard moments brilliantly but the comedy really comes from when they are given 'exercises' by Steve Carrell's Marriage Counsellor.
Its a slow paced film yes with minimal music but the way they address the issues in their lacklustre marriage over the film is excellently done.
This isn't for everyone but its acted expertly by the two leads with aplomb.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 10, 2015
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I bought this for my mum at her request, I (think) she enjoyed it, I've never asked her, and whilst looking after her house decided to watch it for myself. I thought it was meant to be a comedy? Think I laughed once or twice, the casting sounded fab but as others have said I'm not sure Meryl and Tommy had any chemistry, and I'm really surprised Elizabeth Shue decided to take that part, she was in it for all of 5 minutes, has her career really taken that much of a nose dive? I found myself really cringing at some parts and losing the will to live at others, but overall I found it to be a really drawn out snore fest!
Bought this because of reviews, plus the leading cast, as I love their acting. Wanted my husband to watch it with me but he didn't. ..Which is a shame! After watching it I realised that there are a few scenes in it which reflect my own circumstances and, therefore, I could relate to Meryl's character. It was certainly an eye-opener for me and I would highly recommend this film. Unfortunately, it will be a long time before I watch it again, purely for the content of the film. Nevertheless, it was excellently written and acted out. Highly recommend!