Hope Springs is a movie about Arnold and Kay Soames (Tommy Lee Jones & Meryl Streep) who have been married for 31 years. Although they are a devoted couple, they follow the same daily routines, do not sleep in the same room and are not very intimate with one another. Kay feels that they have lost their spark and is eager to get them back on track. She enrols them in a week long intense marriage counseling course with Dr Bernie Feld (Steve Carell) in Maine. Arnold reluctanctly joins her and at first, things are very tense, especially when Dr Feld asks them very intimate questions about their relationship
in front of each other. Each day he gives them tasks to do and requires feedback the following day. The first few days are very tense and they spend a lot of time apart and just when a breakthrough seems possible, more disappointment. They return home with Kay deciding to pet sit for a friend, also with the intention of moving on. Arnold realising that his marriage is in trouble makes his move and they are able to rekindle their relationship. A year later, they renew their wedding vows and promise to be more understanding and considerate to one another.

Meryl Streep must surely have the magic touch as she managed to get the ever serious Tommy Lee Jones not only to smile but also to laugh.

I would highly recommend this movie for all adults, as in the rushed times that we find ourselves, we very often forget the small things that make relationships work.

The movie also stars amongst others, Elizabeth Shue, Jean Smart, Ben Rappaport and Mimi Rogers.

Directed by David Frankel.

Running time – 100 minutes.