The Hours showcases three women, in three
different time periods, with one motive; to commit suicide.
The constant depression of Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman),
Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), and Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl
Streep) makes them not only, in some way, physically
connected; but psychologically as well. These three women have
had it with life, in one way or another. They are attracted to
women, and have either left, or plan on leaving their
husbands. Two of them are bookworms, and the other a writer,
of which the others read, and relate to. This is an example of
depressing, but pure cinematic triumph. In this beautiful
portrayal of women’s lives we see how time can fix things, as
well as destroy them. It is also made important that time
revolves around the humans that live it, and that their
feelings are crucial to its moving. The flawlessly adapted
screenplay, monumental performances, and intricate set and
costume design make this passionately made piece one of the
best films of the year.
Virginia Woolf is a writer that succeeds only on her mounting
stress, and the continuous problems that confront her. Woolf’s
writing seemingly lives on the many discomforting feelings
that surround her, even though she always wants them to go
away. The Hours opens to her committing suicide.
Will the issues that made her kill herself, which often
psychologically appear in her writing, get inside of her most
avid reader’s heads decades later? As discussed in the first
paragraph, time is what this movie centers on. Only the
passing days, weeks, and months will be able to answer this
question.
Woolf
is only one of three major characters in the film. What would
The Hours be without answering the question that
I have just reminiscently asked? The two other ladies that
dominate the screen are Laura Brown and Clarissa Vaughan,
readers of Woolf. Brown’s story takes place in the fifties,
and Vaughan’s in present time, but they are both very similar
to each other. Laura’s life was full of worthless and
regretful mistakes, and Clarissa’s is heading in the same
direction. Will history repeat itself for generation after
generation? As time passes, we will discover the answer. “I
remember waking up at dawn, and there was such a sense of
possibility,” says Clarissa. When will the passing hours bring
these women the true happiness which they once had?
The Hours does not fully answer this question. But the
many issues that are still left unresolved when the credits
begin to role help the movie maintain its realistic
appearance. It is heavy, but not overbearing. Most general
audiences will feel overwhelmed by its material, and males
will definitely be turned off by it. It is deeply enriching
filmmaking, though. Though it might not be a classic, I will
be able to remember it for some time.
The Hours is a giant collage full of the best
performances of the year. Nicole Kidman’s Virginia Woolf is an
extraordinary character, accompanied by a mind-blowing
performance. Kidman is barely recognizable as the
straight-faced Woolf, with a prosthetic nose and an ugly face.
Her character’s emotions are so deeply moving, that even when
expressionless, we know exactly what she is thinking. Meryl
Streep is excellent as Clarissa Vaughan, and has her moments,
though her performance is probably my least favorite of the
heap. Julianne Moore, however, leads the pack as Laura Brown.
I can now say that she deserves two Oscar nods. One for her
character in Far From Heaven, who’s husband wants
to leave her because he is homosexual. And secondly, for this
role, where she plays a homosexual who wants to leave her
husband. Moore is incredibly versatile, and exercises this
talent in The Hours. It has so many great
performances, and an endless list of recognizable names. I was
passionately involved in the excellent story full of depth and
drama, that is pushed forward by these incredible
performances.
The Hours is a perfectly made film that is full
of memorable performances, direction, production, music, and
cinematography. It is one humongous affair of filmmaking at
its best. Even though I wasn’t particularly fond of the story,
I was moved by it. This is yet another member of the now giant
club of the best films of two-thousand-and-two!
-Danny,
Bucket Reviews