Saturday, December 29, 2012

183 - Hope Springs

     An older couple attends a couples therapist in hopes of rejuvenating their failing marriage.
     I have no idea if this is supposed to be a comedy or a drama, or what.  Regardless of what it is, it sort of failed.  It's not a funny movie.  There are a few moments that have a tiny undercurrent of humor, but most of it wouldn't qualify.  However, it could be a comedy, if you think that what therapists do is funny.  Like, asking the couple to describe their sex life.
     It's dramatic, but not in an interesting way.  Like many romances, the movie pretty firmly blames the male for the couple's problems.  And he's an abrasive character.  However, there are a few hints in the movie, none of which get as much exploration as they require, which suggest that the problem isn't just his behavior.  It's that she's been sending him the message that he isn't doing anything wrong.
     I haven't paid much attention to Meryl Streep, and she's never stood out to me.  She's actually very annoying in this movie.  She doesn't break the fourth wall directly, but there's something about the performance that bothers me - like she's playing to the camera too much.
     Are there many movies that address the empty nest syndrome?  I'm not sure if I can think of any, but this certainly doesn't do it any services.
     Also, Tommy Lee Jones looks like he's gotten really old, really fast.

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