Review of The Hours (2002) by Asif K — 29 Jul 2011

Three women, separated by a span of nearly 80 years, find themselves weathering similar crises, all linked by a single work of literature in this film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Michael Cunningham. In 1923, Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is attempting to start work on her novel Mrs. Dalloway, in which she chronicles one day in the life of a troubled woman. But Virginia has demons of her own, and she struggles to overcome the depression and suicidal impulses that have followed her throughout her life, as her husband Leonard (Stephen Dillane) ineffectually tries to help. In 1951, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is a housewife living in suburban Los Angeles, where she looks after her son Richie (Jack Rovello) and husband Dan (John C. Reilly). Laura is also an avid reader who is currently making her way through Mrs. Dalloway. The farther she gets into the novel, the more Laura discovers that it reflects a dissatisfaction she feels in her own life, and she finds herself pondering the notion of leaving her life behind. Finally, in 2000, Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) is a literary editor who is caring for Richard Brown (Ed Harris), a former boyfriend and noted author, who is slowly losing his fight with AIDS. Clarissa is trying to arrange a party to celebrate the fact that Richard has won a prestigious literary award, but is getting little help from Richard's ex-lover, Louis (Jeff Daniels). As she labors to help Richard through another day, he wonders if his life is worth the unending struggle. The Hours also features Toni Collette, Miranda Richardson, Allison Janney, and Claire Danes.

Starring Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Toni Collette , Claire Danes , Jeff Daniels , Stephen Dillane , Allison Janney , John C. Reilly , Miranda Richardson and others.

Nominated for 9 Oscars including Best Picture, Director, Adapted Screenplay, Editing, Original Score, Costume Design, Supporting Actor Ed Harris, Supporting Actress Julianne Moore and Leading Actress Nicole Kidman. while winning only one Oscar for Best Leading Actress Nicole Kidman.

While I really wanted to watch this movie without knowing much about it or what really is going on in this movie. the only reason apart from Oscars nominations was Nicole Kidman herself. I mean literally I didn't recognized her in this movie. I was shocked to see for the first time in a trailer of this movie on a channel and as they said Nicole Kidman, I was like what are they talking about. she is like transformed completely look at her face and eyes and nose or whatever. the same thing you will see in her performance, completely transformed. she gave a heartbreaking truly mesmerizing and subtle emotional performance that most of the people don't agree with her Oscar win though they liked her performance. I think she completely deserved it. she was superb in the role of Virginia Woolf, a emotionally disturbed writer who tries to write a novel with her past haunting her every time and her frequent suicide attempts too.

This movie basically shows us a day in life of these three women, with two of them interconnected in a way with Virginia's written book. though it sounds really complex storyline but it isn't when you see the movie. I liked the haunting emotional aspects of the movie. every character was really disturbed in one way or the other. though I am not sure about those Bisexual/gay kissing scenes, were those necessary?

Anyways, I loved Nicole's performance as I stated earlier. Ed Harris was the best performer after her. he just broke my heart giving one of the best performance of his career. Julian was good too but same like her many others characters in other movies. she always performs in same kind of roles which is a bit annoying but still her performance was well. Meryl was really good, better than her performance in Adaptation, she deserved a nomination for this movie I think, not for that. Claire in small role was good and so were the other actors. the movie is great thanks to the performances but hats off to Nicole and Ed Harris.

British director Stephen Daldry directed this movie, he also directed Billy Elliot and my favorite movie The Reader. I liked his direction in this movie, his best work. Screenplay had some minor flaws. but editing was pitch perfect for a movie like this. good costumes and art direction with one of the best scores ever. loved it. beautiful and touching.

This is a slow moving drama with a bit iffy content and some complex characters that just wins your heart with their emotional aspects. loved this movie, a good experience of a one day in these three woman life with different life styles and time periods and their on different problems somewhat connected to a book. performances is the highlight of this movie, no doubt.