Chapter forty-five: Hope Springs

Hello again! I hope all is well. Today, I'm wearing another outfit that I like. It's a thin white sweater with leggings, and the best part is that the leggings have pockets! I don't know why I've talked about my outfits for the past two entries, but I've been watching a lot of Schitt's Creek, which is such an insanely funny show on all four corners, and I guess you could say I'm finding my inner Moira and Alexis Rose. I have a Miranda Priestly poster on my bedroom wall, and I actually feel like she would mildly approve of my fashion choices. Also, did you know that Catherine O'Hara is also the mom in Home Alone? I learned that just last week!

Recently, I've chalked my way through most of Nora Ephron's books, which, complimentary to this entry, are about growing older. Last night, I was reading her book titled I Remember Nothing. In Chapter Seven, she wrote, "I love buying tickets ahead of time online. One of the genuine miracles of modern life, as far as I'm concerned, is that moment when you enter a movie theater and stick your credit card into a machine, and it spits the exact tickets you ordered straight out at you." She's right, that is fun, but another one of the miracles of modern life, as far as I'm concerned, is the invention of leggings that have pockets sewn into them. Speaking of movie tickets, before I get too off-topic, let's talk about Hope Springs. I love this movie; it's really sweet.

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Essentially, the plot is very simplistic, and therefore, more relatable than other films. It's about a married, slightly-older couple, Kay and Arnold Soames (Meryl and Tommy Lee Jones.) Their children now have lives of their own, and without them, Kay and Arnold are in a dry marriage. Kay is somewhat timid, wistful about how her life has become such a routine slump, while Arnold is more so avoiding the issue. He knows they're in a routine but isn't too bothered by it. They sleep in separate bedrooms, and Arnold isn't picking up Kay's hints, so feeling sexually ignored, Kay looks into marriage counseling. She researches for the best place to make such an investment and convinces Arnold to accompany her by some godsend. Enter Steve Carell as their therapist, Dr. Bernie Feld, at his office in Hope Springs, Maine. There, Kay and Arnold receive the kind of intensive, in-depth treatment one expects to get from a week-long marriage counseling program: exercises to try out in the hotel with each other, dedicated time to speak about truths they wouldn't otherwise speak about, talks of date nights and their feelings, and so on.

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This movie is funny. I mean, what has Steve Carell in it and isn't funny? But there's a deeper meaning behind it. There are so many movies about young people struggling in their marriage, but this movie's different. It showcases the idea that you're never at an age that requires you to stop putting effort into your love life. As a teenager with big influences who are all over sixty-five, starting this places unpleasant imagery in my head, but it's a point that's true, and the reason I find this movie so lovable. It gave me perspective that would otherwise go unrealized; love has no age limits.

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In totality, Kay and Arnold experience several setbacks during their treatment. It's understandably difficult for them to embrace the intimacy of each other, as well as moments they spend out in public. But, they finish the program and slowly apply what they've learned to their everyday lives. It works to the desired level of satisfaction, and when the credits roll, they renew their wedding vows.

As always, thank you for the entertainment, Meryl.