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The Hours
2002
Based on the Pulitzer-prize winning novel by Michael Cunningham, THE HOURS employs Virginia Woolf's classic novel and central character, MRS. DALLOWAY, as its foundation and inspiration. Spanning three different eras, during one day, the film focuses on the parallel lives of three women joined in their depression, alienation, .. Read more
| Starring | Nicole Kidman, Allison Janney, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore |
|---|---|
| Director | Stephen Daldry |
| Genres | Audio Descriptive, Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
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The Hours
Based on the Pulitzer-prize winning novel by Michael Cunningham, THE HOURS employs Virginia Woolf's classic novel and central character, MRS. DALLOWAY, as its foundation and inspiration. Spanning three different eras, during one day, the film focuses on the parallel lives of three women joined in their depression, alienation, and search for love. Nicole Kidman, wearing a prosthetic nose, is virtually unrecognizable as the tortured writer Virginia Woolf whose ongoing battle with mental illness eventually led to her tragic suicide in 1941. The film begins with the moment of her suicide and flashes back on her life and work as she crafted her most memorable character, Clarissa Dalloway, in 1923. In 1950's California suburbia another woman, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), struggles with alienation and depression. Trapped by her clinging young son and an adoring husband whom she does not love, the desperate woman tries to prepare for her husband's birthday but cannot stop reading MRS. DALLOWAY. Finally, in modern day Manhattan, Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep), a lesbian who lives with her lover (Allison Janney) and her daughter (Claire Danes), struggles to prepare a party for her ex-husband (Ed Harris) who is dying of AIDS. Director Stephen Daltry uses beautiful overlapping editing to sew the women's interwoven stories seamlessly together. At the core of this profoundly moving film is the trio of award-winning actresses who grace the screen with their bold and awe-inspiring performances.
| Starring | Nicole Kidman, Allison Janney, Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, John C. Reilly, Claire Danes, Ed Harris, Toni Collette, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Dillane |
|---|---|
| Director | Stephen Daldry |
| Studio | WALT DISNEY STUDIOS HOME ENTERTAINMENT |
| Run time | DVD: 1 hr 54 mins |
| Certificate | |
| Collections | 100 Feisty Females |
| Genres | Audio Descriptive, Drama, Gay/Lesbian |
| Language | English, English Audio Description |
| Hearing-impaired | English |
| Subtitles | English, Italian |
| Released | DVD: 08 Sep 2003 Production year: 2002 |
| Format | DVD |
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Critics' reviews (3)
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Despite being director Stephen Daldry's follow up to Billy Elliot, much of the initial interest in this drama has focused on Nicole Kidman's prosthetic nose — as renowned English writer Virginia Woolf, she is virtually unrecognisable. The physical transformation she has undertaken for the role is somewhat distracting at the beginning, but as David Hare's magnificent screenplay unfolds, it is the drama's beauty and eloquence that take centre stage. Adapted from Michael Cunningham's complex novel, this poignant exploration of longing, desire and regret interweaves the lives of three women from different eras. Kidman's neurosis-driven Woolf is the most developed and compelling character, but co-stars Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep are also interesting, as a stifled 1950s housewife and a present-day lesbian book editor, respectively. Had Moore and Streep's scenarios been made weightier and less clichéd, the feature would have been a masterpiece. As it stands, it's a sophisticated and deeply poetic triumph that marks out Daldry as a talent to watch.
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Deft, engrossing film built around the suicide of Virginia Woolf and the themes of her novel Mrs Dalloway, which connects with two other women: one is an unhappy housewife in the 50s, the other a woman caring for a former lover, a homosexual poet d
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Most helpful member's review
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51 out of 52 people found this review helpful
the hours
I was very unsure about this film after I had familiarised myself by watching the trailer, and was quite willing to return the film without watching it.
However, nothing on telly, I decided to give it a go on a cold, damp sunday afternoon.
What a delightful, but sombre, way to pass a couple of hours. Superb performances by Ms Moore, Streep and Kidman. It is a joy to watch all three of them in action.
There is no violence, swearing or gratuitous sex (i am no prude, i can appreciate all three in the right context), which made this film a perfect diversion from the outside world.
If in doubt, keep this film at the bottom of your rental queue and forget about it. It may turn up and surprise you - it did me, and what a pleasant surprise I nearly missed. -
Most recent members' review
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1 out of 1 person found this review helpful
Perfect Sunday Afternoon Viewing (for women)
A sensitive portrayal of three women (each living in a different period of the 20th Century) and their struggles to reconcile themselves with aspects of their lives which threaten to overwhelm them. Their stories are beautifully interwoven in both obvious and subtle ways. I found it a very moving film. For me it was ideal viewing for a Sunday afternoon - somehow reminiscent of those angst-filled black and white romances that always seemed to be on at that time when I was a child.
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News and features
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Kidman replaced in Allen movie by relative unknown
- 02 Jun 2009
Little-known actress Lucy Punch has been cast as Nicole Kidman's replacement in director Woody Allen's next movie. The Hours star pulled out of the currently untitled project in May (09) due to scheduling conflicts. But now Punch is set to step into Kidman's role, joining a star-studded line-up including Antonio Banderas, Sir Anthony Hopkins, Josh Brolin and Naomi Watts. Allen has yet to reveal details of the plot, but shooting is set to begin in London this summer (09). Read more
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