Hope Springs

The cinema is full of films about young people having sexual problems. They usually end happily with the couple over coming their problems. But what if later in life the problems return?
It is a very unpleasant experience for people to see or hear about an older couples sexual problems. Mostly because it reminds people of their parents and their sex lives which is an uncomfortable thought. But sex and intimacy problems is something that can arise with couples later in life. Couples become so comfortable with each other that they take each other for granted. That is the problem that befalls Kay and Arnold in this film. They are fairly stereotypical characters. I think we can recognize traits in them that feel familiar to either ourselves and/or our parents. That does make the story feel real and relatable but it is the way the film is told that it lacks. I think I was expecting a bit more comedy and a bit less drama with the story. The therapy sessions are not exactly very dynamic. What also does not help is Arnold and his annoying behaviour. We get that he is uncomfortable talking about sex with a stranger but he also seems completely oblivious to how much his inability to touch his wife lovingly is causing her pain. Then when he goes to the therapy sessions he is so withdrawn and unwilling to say much that it becomes so annoying. He always looks as though he is about to say something, reveal an emotion but then steps back from it. I became incredibly frustrated by this behaviour. I know husbands are always portrayed as frustrating people who do not understand their wives but their comes a point when it gets annoying. While he does get the hint towards the end of the film it still makes for tough going for most of the film.
This film is another example of the talent of Meryl Streep. In her last film she played a tough, forceful woman who ran a major country. Now she is playing a meek and mild housewife trying to put her marriage back together. She does both roles so incredibly well. It goes to show she can play a broad spectrum of characters. Tommy Lee Jones does a very good job of playing the annoying husband. Tommy has made a career out of playing gruff characters like this so it suits him very well. I was pleased to see Steve Carrell in this film as it shows he not only plays wacky comedy characters, that he can play straight serious ones as well. The only problem is that he has very little to do. His role is a very important one to the story, I just would have liked to see him have more to do.
It is refreshing to see a film that looks at an older couple and the problems they have with their relationship. There are issues which seem familiar and that people can relate to. But when one of them is incredibly annoying it dampens what could have been a great film.