Hope Springs

[Arab Nights (imported)]

I enjoyed the movie. Definitely worth the price. Wifey said it was more or less, but I noticed she had some really good laughts during it.

[bobover3 (imported)]

Excellent movie. Two vivid characters and an engaging story. A blessed relief from "bang-bang" movies - car chases, explosions, shoot-outs, lots of "action," but no characters or plot to speak of. Two prime examples are The Bourne Legacy and the remake of Total Recall. Both are "action films," which now means they're virtually content free. Just noise and speed. Total Recall is especially egregious, since the original had imagination, wit, compelling characters and a story. The remake has only bang-bang. "Hope Springs" is the opposite. It's all about people and the big changes in their lives. That's good movie-making. Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep are excellent, as you'd expect.

Reservations: Jones's character is almost a stereotype of an emotionally unavailable man; the movie couldn't resist the uplifting happy end in which all troubles vanish that has become a Hollywood cliche. I'll admit that the logical end would have been tragedy and I would have left the theater sad, but sometimes these happy endings seem pasted on.

[Arab Nights (imported)]

Agreed it was almost a stereotype - except I know people like that. Including in the mirror. Fortunately I was saved by getting sent off to more chaotic parts of the world.

I thought it should have ended that last time that he came down the stairs, plopped his briefcase and coat on the chair, blah, blah, blah, left for work, then like he forgot something came back and bent her over the table for a theatrical kiss. I loved her character when she righted herself afterwards including the little detail of closing her blouse to cover the sliver of bra you could see. That would have been the precise second to end the movie. But the few extra minutes are a small price to pay for good entertainment.