The next set of reviews we’ll be publishing are some of the ones Roger Thomas has done exclusively for The Stanly News & Press. Roger has written movie reviews for The Stanly News & Press and other outlets for years, long before starting this blog. So we decided it would be good to give readers a sample of his previous work, in addition to posts of reviews of current films. Other reviews will run daily.
Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep
Meryl Streep and Tommy Lee Jones. Does one have to say anything else? Most film fans would watch these two reading the grocery lists. And truth be told, their reading of those lists would most likely be fascinating.
Streep is fresh off her third Oscar win for playing Margaret Thatcher in “The Iron Lady.” Her character Kay in “Hope Springs” seems to be about as far from Thatcher as any character could be. And yet, both portrayals are desperate women struggling and fighting hard to get what they want. In some ways, fictional character Kay may be more like Thatcher than she would ever realize or admit.
Tommy Lee Jones has been great since his first Oscar nomination for “JFK” (1991). And even before that he did terrific work in television’s “Lonesome Dove” (1989). He finally achieved Oscar gold in 1993 for Best Supporting Actor in “The Fugitive” as Marshall Sam Gerard. His performance has stood the test of time. (But personally I would have voted for either Leonardo DiCaprio in “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape?” or Ralph Fiennes in “Schindler’s List.” Those performances are simply stunning.) Jones’ character Arnold in “Hope Springs” is Gerard much older, grumpier and very tired.
These two great actors do marvelous things together. The film is worth seeing just to watch them. They are humorous, loving, pitiful, sad, hateful, and compassionate and every emotion seems accurate and real. Many actors could have played Kay and Arnold, but we are glad that it ended up being two of our best. A good film became better because of these two actors. Not great, but definitely better.
There is a third performance worthy of being mentioned. Steve Carrell’s understated Dr. Field is pitch-perfect and great fun to watch. I think there should be a sequel that shows the audience just how dysfunctional Field’s family actually is.
As I have reflected on “Hope Springs”, which I saw almost a week ago now, I began to think this film was not made for people like me. Kay and Arnold are a decade or more beyond me in age. Their children are grown and gone. I am still raising mine. I am a single adult, and they celebrate their 31st anniversary early on in the film. I have little in common with many of the defining characteristics of the two main characters. And, after seeing the film, I remember thinking this film is made for couples, perhaps to speak to their lives and marital issues, or maybe make them grateful their relationship is not where Kay and Arnold find themselves in the film. Or maybe just to make them laugh when they see glimpses of themselves on screen.
But the more I reflected on the film, the more I realized there was more here. Yes, this is a film about marriage and romance. Yes, this is a film about re-connecting. And yes, this is a film about sex and the physical nature of marriage. (If conversations about sex makes one uncomfortable, go see “The Odd Life of Timothy Green” instead.)However, “Hope Springs” is also about loneliness. It is about not being heard or understood. It is about the difference between living with others and sharing a life. And these are universal issues for those dating, newlyweds, long-term married couples, divorcees, widows and widowers and all those who do not fit neatly into a category. Perhaps Kay and Arnold represent a little bit more than just a married couple that has lost their passion.
Whether one sees this or not in the film, there are plenty of laughs, several good discussions, and moments of great truth. “Hope Springs” is not a great film, but most adults will find something to ponder or even discuss. And one might even find a little hope.
Box Office results
Domestic gross: $63,536,011
Foreign gross: $50,745,040
Production budget: NA
Opening weekend: $14,650,121
NOTE: Information from Boxofficemojo.com
Cinema Corner 