What is most wonderful about this film is how well the two actors command your attention. Streep, ever the work-horse, is dependable and nuanced, though there were a few moments early on where she oddly didn't drum up the tears one might have expected from her character. While there are probably more than a few actors that may have outplayed Streep in this part and hit a home-run (quite unusual), the Hollywood matron is still transfixing to watch and brings with her what so few movie stars can these days: an audience. And Jones hits every crusty note of his Arnold's sour disposition. He's a likable grump with an underlining vulnerability. Together, the two actors play off each other magnificently and their chemistry is in spades. And, they work off of Vanessa Taylor's solid screenplay. Honest and revelatory, it treats its adult-skewed demographic like, well, adults. There are yucks to be had at our puritanical hangups about sex, but the resolutions often are very mature. Director David Frankel, who worked with Streep previously on The Devil Wears Prada, displays remarkable pacing and doesn't leave an ounce of fat. The two hours pretty much center squarely on the two leads, with name actors taking on essentially non-showy cameo (blink and you'll miss them) roles, including Elisabeth Shue (I can never get enough of her), Jean Smart, and Mimi Rogers. Steve Carell, as their therapist for a week, is unassuming and sober, as the job title dictates.
Movie Spoiler Summary
Kay (Meryl Streep) primps herself one night, only to be turned down by her unsuspecting husband Arnold (Tommy Lee Jones). Roll credits. The next morning, they wake up in their separate rooms (he has sleep apnea) and it's business as usual: breakfast, paper, off to work, etc. At the clothing store they work at, Kay talks about her problems to her friend Ellen (Jean Smart). For dinner, Kay and Arnold have their grown children over to celebrate their 31st anniversary (their gift to each other was a cable package). The next day, she visits a Barnes & Noble and reads a book by Dr. Feld (Steve Carell). At breakfast the next day, she shares a brochure of a retreat he holds up in Maine. Unsurprisingly, Arnold isn't too keen about the idea, but after a chat with his coworker Vince (Brett Rice) in the bathroom, he buys Kay some beach-themed earrings. She's unimpressed and he eats dinner alone. At the last minute, the next day, Arnold joins her on the flight up to Maine, which she purchased for the both of them from a cashed-out CD of hers. "I hope you're happy," he grumbles. Kay breaks a small smile and her eyes glow into the camera for a brief moment.
They shack up in the Econo Lodge in Great Hope Springs. At a cafe the next day, after Arnold moans about every last possible detail under God's green earth, waitress Cora (Becky Ann Baker) shoots the couple a side-eye and wishes them luck with Dr. Feld. They meet with him at 10:30 AM. The results of the introduction are dubious at best and he uses an oft-used metaphor of a nose's deviated septum to describe broken relationships.
On the second day, the couple provides Dr. Feld with some background. When the session begins to head in an unpleasant direction, Kay retreats to the local bar, where Karen (Elisabeth Shue) provides a sympathetic ear. Meanwhile, Arnold visits a local museum. That night, they embrace in bed per Dr. Feld's instructions. On the third day, they are all excited, because they slept the whole night together. Then, the subject turns to sex. Their next assignment is to touch each other intimately that night, but it doesn't go well. However, after they decide to go to sleep, Kay ends up masturbating. On the fourth day, they debrief with Dr. Feld. Arnold ends up storming out and wandering around town. Kay begins packing.
On the fifth day, they end up staying and attend session. Arnold begins expressing himself to Kay, who responds herself. "You never want me, you just want it." The start to get really honest with each other and Dr. Feld changes the subject to their most memorable sexual experience. For their assignment that night, Kay tries to give Arnold fellatio in a movie theatre during a French film. The scene is pretty hilarious, but Kay gets flustered and leaves.
On the sixth day, Dr. Feld speaks with each spouse separately. The question is posed to the inhibited Kay, "Is this person worth more to me than my pride?" He recommends she purchase the book, "Sex Tips for Straight Women From a Gay Man" and he instructs Arnold to step up. While Arnold tries to make a reservation at fancy booked restaurant and inn Captain Jacks, Kay shops for phallic-like grocery items to practice fellatio on. At the end of dinner, he surprises Kay, dressed all in lavender, with the room reservation. It's a quaint, but beautiful abode, with champagne, chocolate-covered strawberries, and a lit fireplace. He plays Al Green's "Let Stay Together" as things start to get romantic. During foreplay, he looks at her in the face and loses his erection. On the seventh day, Dr. Feld wraps things up.
They return home and settle back into their routine. At work, Kay offers to house-sit for Ellen to spend some time away from Arnold. She begins packing to Annie Lenox' "Why." They go to sleep in their separate rooms, but, then, later on, he pays her a visit and they make love. The next morning, he wakes up late and passionately kisses her good-bye. Outside, one of his fantasy women, Carol (Mimi Rogers), is across the street walking her Corgi's. The couple share a giggle and Kay informs him that a three-way is never happening between them. Roll end credits with Kay living out her fantasy of renewing her vows with Arnold on the beach, with the children, their spouses, and Dr. Feld in attendance.
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