Stars: Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, Steve Carell
Director: David Frankel
Oscar History: None (though Streep got a Globe nomination)
Snap Judgment Ranking: 4/5 stars
There was once a time when adults went to adult films at the cinema. Not adult Jenna Jameson sorts of films, but films that don't have wink/wink nods to teenagers. No superheroes, no special effects, no vampires or werewolves or boy wizards, but films like Terms of Endearment or Kramer vs. Kramer or Hannah and Her Sisters which celebrate the moments in life when your twenties have past. Hope Springs is a movie that celebrates that tradition.The movie starts with Streep and Jones establishing their routines. Since I'm still in Olympic mode (can you believe we only have two days left?!?), I'll use the metaphor that they're just finishing up the second leg of their marriage. They've made it through the early years, have gotten their children grown and out into relationships of their own, and are now about to enter that last stage, of grandchildren and quiet retirement.
But for Streep, as she wants something more, and signs up for a week of couples counseling, which Jones reluctantly agrees to. There they encounter Steve Carell's calming presence as the psychiatrist. For a film that billed itself on a number of laughs and has one of the most talented comedians working in film today, Carell does absolutely no mugging, and really just serves as moderator to the increasingly complicated emotions of Jones and Streep. We continue journeying through the layers of difficulty when aging together-from sexual attraction to the deep affection that is taken for granted, only to find a solution that seems satisfactory without appearing cute.
Streep, of course, is brilliant, which is something we continually take for granted, but that doesn't stop her from being able to surprise. She and the screenwriter pull back when you expect Streep's Kay to burst into tears. She's a woman so used to hiding her emotions that even when she's in a safe environment and being asked her opinion, she hides it. Streep adds so many conflicted layers to her scenes packing and routinely making breakfast, constantly questioning whether or not this should be enough or if she should try for something else as she nears the twilight of her life. She gets a beautiful moment with Carell where she states that maybe she wouldn't feel so lonely if she were alone, a thought so many couples have contemplated when they were in one of the "bad years" of their marriages.
Jones is her equal as a man who cannot understand why his life is being upheaved. Jones is careful to unfold his cards-Streep is the one who sees the "problem" in their marriage-Jones is at that point where complacency trumps trying, and he continually finds himself angry that his wife wants to upset the calm in their marriage. Jones, an actor of few years, let's every grimace, every uncomfortable leg crossing, speak for his character. Between the two, we have one of the finest romantic duets of the year thusfar, and proof that "actors of a certain age" can still deliver splendid work when given the opportunity.
What about you? Did you find the film reflecting something in your own relationships? Do you wish there were more dramas made for adults instead of the whole family? And do you think longtime Academy favorites Streep and Jones have a shot for nominations 18 and 4, respectively?
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