Poster for 'Hope Springs'

This type material (and poster) usually sends chills up my spine but we may have an exception here. Tommy Lee Jones and Meryl Streep as a couple whose marriage is getting a bit rocky -- that works. Steve Carell and Elisabeth Shue in supporting roles -- nice touch.

Somehow, the imagery avoids that situational silliness found in movies like this. Far be it for me to say, but Streep is good. I know -- obvious -- but can you imagine what this poster and still would look like with another actor?

Director David Frankel (The Devil Wears Prada, Marley and Me, The Big Year) has a way with this kind of character piece.  He instills back and forth exchanges with a comedic thread and tension.

Should do well both at the box office and as a rental/TV night.

Even the tagline is good: Sometimes to keep the magic, you need to learn a few tricks.

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