OK for kids 15+
Marital dramedy is well acted but won't interest teens.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Hope Springs -- a romantic comedy about a sixtysomething couple trying to save their 31-year marriage -- isn't very likely to appeal to most tweens and teens. Although there's no nudity in the movie's one actual love scene, plenty of sex talk (positions, preferences, erectile dysfunction) is part of the conversation as the characters explore the reasons they're no longer intimate. And there are a few scenes of passionate kissing, foreplay, and a humorous attempt at a public sex act. Language is fairly mild except for several uses of "goddamn," "Jesus," and "Christ." The couple drinks during a dinner date and gets a bit tipsy. Overall, this is a pro-marriage story that encourages husbands and wives to appreciate each other and hold on to why they were drawn to each other in the first place.
- Families can talk about how Hope Springs deals with a lot of mature issues -- especially the married couple's sex life. What is the movie's message about long-lasting marriages? How does counseling help Arnold and Kay?
- How is Arnold and Kay's sixtysomething love story different than romantic comedies about younger couples?
- What audience do you think this movie is targeted at? How can you tell? Does it succeed in reaching them?
The good stuff
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Messages: Valuable messages and themes about the joys and sorrows of a successful, long marriage. As the marriage counselor says: "Even great marriages have terrible years." The counseling sessions are full of sage advice about rekindling the spark in a complacent marriage and not taking your spouse for granted, no matter how long you've been together.
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Role models: Kay works hard to try to save her marriage from the domestic malaise she feels. She seeks help from a professional marriage counselor and tries to do everything the counselor suggests to make things better, although Arnold is really hesitant and stubborn until he comes to realize just how much he wants to make Kay happy.
What to watch for
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Violence: Not an issue
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Sex: Lots of talk about sex (or the lack thereof) in long marriages. Kay and Arnold have a sexless marriage, and they have to discuss it with their counselor in detail. The couple offers many specifics about their sex lives, including sexual positions, use of toys, preferences, and fantasies. Also a few scenes of passionate kissing, foreplay, and a humorous attempt at a public sex act, but only one actual love scene (no nudity).
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Language: Language includes "hell," "prick," "damn," and several exclamations of "goddamn," "Jesus Christ," "Christ," "Jesus," etc.
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Consumerism: Product placements include The Golf Channel, Coldwater Creek, Barnes and Noble, Subaru Outback, and EconoLodge.
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Drinking, drugs and smoking: Arnold and Kay drink wine and champagne during (and after) a fancy dinner date. Kay drinks (a lot) at a local bar.
Fan Reviews provided by
5
Hope Springs to The Top of My Chart by Darkola
I've been to the show recently to see Batman, Total Recal, and even The Bourne Legacy, and to be completely honest, if I had to pick a movie to see again, it would be this one. The casting on this movie was perfect, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones as a married couple going for counseling, and Steve Carell as the Counselor. The story itself was also so right on for older people, and Tommy Lee Jones really stole the show with this one, his negative actions/reactions and opinions kept you laughing throughout the movie. I dont believe younger folk who look for more action will find this as good as older people do, I'm 46 myself, and really enjoyed it because of its story and how true to the heart it is with some folk. If your looking for a great story with a sense of reality mixed in, with exceptional acting by all characters, and I'd like to say a comedy of sorts also with Tommy's part in the movie, then this is the movie to see, I'd give this 3 1/2 stars out of 4 myself. Enjoy :)
5
HOPE SPRINGS by thedoctor777
This is a refreshing and highly entertaining film, Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones give outstanding performance's. It is a moving and touching story of love that slowly becomes one of being in a ho-hum rut. The story line is great and the screenplay is perfect. There are many moments throughout the film that we can all relate to. There are a few good laughs thrown as as well. You never get bored or lose interest. Any married couple or relationship can learn from this film how not to take one another for granted and to keep their love alive and to rekindle that spark. Please do see this one.
5
I saw the advanced showing tonight by ChristineLinnea
Excellent movie! Lots of laughter and a few tears, too. Meryl and Tommy Lee were so wonderful as this couple trying to find their way after 31 years of marriage. Oh and keep your kids at home.....it's an adult movie!
4
See it for the acting by grrbach
There's no subtlety to the screenplay, nor the direction, but Streep & Jones deliver performances that are marvelously nuanced?not perfect, but a joy to watch.
In an age where movies hurl every visual & technical effect at audiences in order to hold their attention, I loved watching a film so rich in its acting subtleties that I didn't need to be clubbed over the head with CGI or mucho basso to pay attention. The actors commanded it.
Folks who dislike "Hope Springs" will label it as "talky" & "stagey", and they wouldn't be wrong. It has the feel of a play, but when two actors so thoroughly inhabit their characters, so what? Proscenium or silver screen, skillful acting always shines, and the appreciative audience is always rewarded.
5
Older married couple tackle a dead marriage by pedsarq
Streep and Jones have great tension and chemistry in this movie about a woman who insists on getting her marriage back. She pushes her husband into going to a week-long couple's counseling session in Maine to air out all of their issues. What she wants is affection and love, elements that have been missing from her marriage for years. As tiring as this topic sounds it's an absolute pleasure to watch these pros go at each other with such perfect timing and grace. It's' a terrific movie for adults. This movie is not for the young, or those looking for lighter fare.
4
Hope Springs will resonate with a lot of boomers in long marriages by CathFlix
Arnold and Kaye have lost touch with each other in more ways than one, and this movie is about how they refind their mojo through marriage counselling. It has lots of funny moments, but it also is poignant and serious in many places...in ways many couples will probably find somewhat familiar. I loved that Steve Carell who plays the therapist was spot on and not at all comedic. He asks the hard questions and directs Kaye and Arnold so professionally I found it hard to believe he wasn't in the business! There's lots to iron out in their relationship, and its not a slam dunk. I found it entertaining and satisfying, mostly because it is a wonderful story about an otherwise shy or passive woman who decides that what she has is not enough and that she is willing to risk all to get what she wants. And in doing so, she forces issues that otherwise could kept her and her husband under a cloud forever. Go, girl! I'd recommend this movie. It's not Bat Man (thank God!)
4
Hope Springs by 65movie
Very believable! Meryl and Tommy Lee had the facial expressions that were right on target for the material. Probably better for and enjoyed by those who have been married for awhile. I thought it was hilarious--and I did shed a tear or two.
4
Hope Springs for Boomers by on_the_beach
My husband and I joined other retired people on a Wednesday afternoon in a small theatre packed with other contemporaries. If the level of laughter is a clue to the success of this movie, then it?s a hit with my demographics.
If you don?t remember the Summer of Love, then you probably will be ?grossed out? by old people making out ? like several of the reviewers noted. It?s only after you have spent a lifetime with someone, raised the kids, got them out of the door, then looked at each other saying ?Now What? will you get this movie.
Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones were spot on in their characters. Steve Carrell gave a good performance, understated and realistic.
No special effects, no flying vampires, no guns, explosions or alien creatures, - just a great love story for us boomers.
4
You will love this movie! by gracielipscomb
Hope Springs is full of surprises! A wonderful movie! Meryl Streep is terrific! Tommy Lee Jones is awesome! Steve Carell is the best! A truly feel good movie! Some discussions amongst the characters will make you feel shy again! A great movie! These characters and their performances will not let you down!
5
Older couple must see by sjs4711
I really do not know how younger people will relate to this movie. Long-time married people will laugh and sigh, giggle and cry when watching this totally believable film. With that range of emotion can you skip it? I think not!
Meryl Streep is well, Meryl Streep, one of the finest actors alive. Tommy Lee Jones is absolutely well cast for the part of Arnold. If it has a weak link it is Steve Carell who does an uninspired run through as the counsellor.
Go, buy some popcorn, bring tissues and enjoy.