Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
Meryl Streep | ... | Kay | |
Tommy Lee Jones | ... | Arnold | |
Steve Carell | ... | Doctor Feld | |
Jean Smart | ... | Eileen, Kay's Friend | |
Ben Rappaport | ... | Brad, Their Son | |
Marin Ireland | ... | Molly, Their Daughter | |
Patch Darragh | ... | Mark, Their Son-in-Law | |
Brett Rice | ... | Vince, Arnold's Friend | |
Becky Ann Baker | ... | Cora, The Waitress | |
Elisabeth Shue | ... | Karen, The Bartender | |
Charles Techman | ... | Charlie, The Docent | |
Danny Flaherty | ... | Danny, The Bookstore Clerk (as Daniel J. Flaherty) | |
Damian Young | ... | Mike, The Innkeeper | |
Mimi Rogers | ... | Carol, The Neighbor | |
Ann Harada | ... | Ann, The Happy Wife |
Kay and Arnold are a middle-aged couple whose marriage has declined until they are now sleeping in separate rooms and barely interact in any meaningful loving way. Finally, Kay has had enough and finds a book by Dr. Feld which inspires her to sign them up for the Doctor's intense week long marriage counseling session. Although Arnold sees nothing wrong with their 30 year long marriage, he reluctantly agrees to go on the expensive excursion. What follows is an insightful experience as Dr. Feld manages to help the couple understand how they have emotionally drifted apart and what they can do to reignite their passion. Even with the Doctor's advice, Kay and Arnold find that renewing their marriage's fire is a daunting challenge for them both. Written by Kenneth Chisholm (kchishol@rogers.com)
Meryl Streep is a wonder, let's start right there. After her towering portrayal of Margaret Thatcher, an ordinary woman in real danger of disappearing all together. Real and enormously moving. Tommy Lee Jones gives us a face we hadn't seen before. Someone so settled in his ways that he doesn't notice what's happening around him. That's why, I though, his realization is so poignant. The film is based on a solid script but the direction is sluggish and uncertain to say the least. It feels as if the director didn't trust his material. The songs and the score, out of a Lifetime TV movie, doesn't allow us to connect with the real truths unfolding in the screen. That, I must confess, was very annoying. I recommend the film on the strength of the two central performances. Intimacy between two grown ups reflected on every look on every move until the score comes to interfere and derail our emotions.