Right up front it has to be stated that Tommy Lee Jones steals “Hope Springs”, seemingly effortlessly, from Meryl Streep and as anyone knows that is far from easy. Nothing is more surprising
than the role Jones plays as the stuck in a rut, do the same thing every
day and every way husband for 31 years to wife Streep. Most single
people probably picture long married couples being just like this with
raising a family, going to work and, when the kids leave home have
nothing, including sex. Arnold and Kay are the neighbors next door or
the ones you see eating in a restaurant not saying a word to each other.

Kay
wants more and takes a chance using her own money to book them for a
week of couple’s therapy not sure if Arnold would come but he does
which, is no surprise to keep the movie going but, come on, Tommy Lee
Jones doing therapy? The therapist, Dr. Feld, played by Steve Carell in a
low key effective way, guides the way for the couple and you know what
will happen each step except for two surprises, both brought to the
screen by Mr. Jones.

The
supporting players all do a good job and offer a few familiar faces
like Jean Smart, Mimi Rogers and Britt Rice but the reason to see this
movie is to sit back and watch Jones and Streep play against and with
each other. Probably for the first time in her career when Streep is on
screen with her co-star you eyes go to him!

The
direction by David Frankel, like the screenplay by Vanessa Taylor, is
serviceable but then all the former had to do was step aside and let his
actors go. The only jarring production note is the soundtrack which is
loaded with too many songs.

“Hope Springs” is a great way to watch two professionals at their best and, surprisingly, one makes the knockout!