Hope Springs

Omaha suburbanites Kay (Meryl Streep) and Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones) have been married for 31 years, and their comfortable Nebraska nest is empty—in more ways than one. Although she timidly ventures from her bedroom to his in an enticing negligee, he's too engrossed in GOLF magazines to notice. But then Kay hears about a weeklong couple's counseling retreat in Great Hope Springs, ME, hosted by a celebrated pop-psychology therapist. Desperate in her loneliness, Kay spends $4,000 from her savings to sign them up, and while cheapskate accountant Arnold initially balks, he reluctantly joins her—in body, if not in spirit. So it's up to Dr. Bernie Feld (Steve Carell) to gently coax the pair into communicating with each other and re-establishing sexual intimacy. Streep and Jones are flat-out fabulous, the former imbuing Kay with warm determination and aching vulnerability, while the latter's Arnold is a stubborn, cantankerous curmudgeon who has been stifling his emotions for years and is averse to letting his guard down. To his credit, funnyman Carell not only plays it straight but displays a calm, compassionate empathy that is quite convincing. Elisabeth Shue, Jean Smart, and Mimi Rogers also contribute memorable turns, while David Frankel directs with candid honesty and keen intelligence. Heartwarming, irreverent, and uplifting, this is a downright funny, feel-good, romantic comedy/drama for adults. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director David Frankel, alternate takes (17 min.), a gag reel (5 min.), an “Inside the Perfect Movie Marriage: Meryl Streep & Tommy Lee Jones” featurette (4 min.), and trailers. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release is “An Intimate Look at Making Hope Springs” (12 min.), the production featurettes “An Expert's Guide to Everlasting Passion” (12 min.), “The Passionate Performer” with Streep (7 min.), and “The Doctor Is In” with costar Steve Carell (4 min.), and a bonus UltraViolet copy of the film. Bottom line: a fine extras package for a wonderfully mature dramedy.] (S. Granger)