Hope Springs (2012)
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A devoted couple seeks intensive marriage counseling to reignite the spark in their long-term relationship.
The story
Married for thirty-one years, Kay and Arnold Soames are empty nesters who have lived in separate bedrooms and forgo physical affection. Seeking to revitalize their relationship, Kay arranges for the couple to undergo a week of intense marriage counseling with Dr. Bernie Feld in a coastal resort town in Maine. While Arnold is initially defensive and denies their marriage is in trouble, they begin to navigate the psychiatrist's frank questions about their feelings and sex life. The couple struggles to find the spark that caused them to fall in love while facing the challenges of their long-term commitment.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Married for thirty-one years, Kay and Arnold Soames are empty nesters who have lived in separate bedrooms and forgo physical affection. Kay arranges a week of marriage counseling with Dr. Bernie Feld in Maine. During sessions, Arnold is defensive and angry, while Kay expresses disappointment. After a night in the same bed, they attempt intimacy in a motel and a movie theater with disastrous results. Dr. Feld challenges Arnold's efforts, leading Arnold to arrange a luxury dinner and stay where they attempt sex by a fireplace, which also fails. After a final session, they return to Omaha. Kay initially plans to stay away, but Arnold enters her room and they embrace, leading to warm, natural sex. Later that year, they renew their wedding vows on a beach with their children and Dr. Feld, promising to be more understanding.
- First release year
- 2012
- Runtime (minutes)
- 100
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- David Frankel
- Writers
- Vanessa Taylor · writer
- Cast and characters
- Meryl Streep · Kay Soames; Tommy Lee Jones · Arnold Soames; Steve Carell
- Genres
- romantic comedy; drama
- Themes
- marriage; sexuality; aging; relationship dynamics
- Tone and mood
- romantic; comedic; thoughtful; subtle
- Setting
- Maine and Nebraska
- Premise and plot tags
- marriage counseling; midlife crisis; romantic comedy
- Content notes
- sexuality
- Reception
- The film received generally positive reviews, with critics praising the cast, particularly Meryl Streep, Tommy Lee Jones, and Steve Carell. It was noted for being subtle, real, and touching for mature audiences.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 75% · review count: 172
- Production trivia
- The project was originally announced in 2010 as Great Hope Springs.; Filming took place in Connecticut.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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