The first of many. Your day is near, MeyerSSSSSsssssssss (sounds like I'm turning into a cartoon ssssssnake).
The Hours
Review by Jon Waterman
***1/2
The film follows the story of three women: Virginia Woolf, a 1950s housewife and a modern day woman. Virginia struggles with the pressures of her daily life as well as the pressure of writing her latest book, Mrs. Dalloway. Laura Brown, the housewife, struggles with her self to find meaning within her daily life. Clarissa Vaughn struggles to find meaning in the relationships she shares with her partner, Sally, and her dying friend, Richard.
The main appeal of the film comes from the interchangeability of the three threads into a wonderfully woven tale (written by David Hare based on Michael Cunningham’s novel). I could see some people criticizing the movie for having three characters that are virtually identical despite this being the whole point of the film. The interest in each era comes not with identifying with a new characteristic, but rather with how the same issues are handled and resolved within the time periods. Virginia occasionally tests out ideas for her book, “Mrs. Dalloway,” by living them out. Laura attempts to better her existence by using “Mrs. Dalloway” as a guide, consciously following the words like a Bible. Clarissa’s life and personality mimics that of “Mrs. Dalloway,” (which has even earned her that nickname) even though she has no real plans or want to do so.
The film flows very well, although not subtly, from one time period to another. Especially in the beginning, the easily recognizable transitions aid in getting an understanding of the motivations of the women and being able to identify with their collective temporal being. Editor Peter Boyle also keeps the pace moving throughout. The film never lingers on one particular decade for a prolonged period. So, even though the women are big balls of confusion, the story telling is anything but.
The acting in this film is incredible. Nicole Kidman (Woolf) makes it easy to forget that you are watching a person behind make up. Julianne Moore (Laura) and Meryl Streep (Clarissa) are surrounded by top-notch supporters John C. Reilly, Ed Harris and Allison Janney. No one acts inappropriately and the collective cast astounds.
I also want to congratulate director Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot”) and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey for creating the distinguishable range of feels for the three times. Each era was assigned its own look and style from the autumn, winds of change feel of Woolf’s time to the more sterilized, harsher feel of Clarissa’s. Mixed with the editing, the film works to grab hold of the audience sooner by bringing together all of these devises in a non-hokey and non-obvious manner.
Truly one of the better films of 2002, “The Hours” may not be entirely thought provoking, but it is a gripping story and an emotional film (potentially emotionally draining). If I have any problem with it, I would have to say that Philip Glass’ score sometimes seemed to want to take control over the scene and became slightly obtrusive. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this one-way roller coaster ride.
The Hours
Review by Jon Waterman
***1/2
The film follows the story of three women: Virginia Woolf, a 1950s housewife and a modern day woman. Virginia struggles with the pressures of her daily life as well as the pressure of writing her latest book, Mrs. Dalloway. Laura Brown, the housewife, struggles with her self to find meaning within her daily life. Clarissa Vaughn struggles to find meaning in the relationships she shares with her partner, Sally, and her dying friend, Richard.
The main appeal of the film comes from the interchangeability of the three threads into a wonderfully woven tale (written by David Hare based on Michael Cunningham’s novel). I could see some people criticizing the movie for having three characters that are virtually identical despite this being the whole point of the film. The interest in each era comes not with identifying with a new characteristic, but rather with how the same issues are handled and resolved within the time periods. Virginia occasionally tests out ideas for her book, “Mrs. Dalloway,” by living them out. Laura attempts to better her existence by using “Mrs. Dalloway” as a guide, consciously following the words like a Bible. Clarissa’s life and personality mimics that of “Mrs. Dalloway,” (which has even earned her that nickname) even though she has no real plans or want to do so.
The film flows very well, although not subtly, from one time period to another. Especially in the beginning, the easily recognizable transitions aid in getting an understanding of the motivations of the women and being able to identify with their collective temporal being. Editor Peter Boyle also keeps the pace moving throughout. The film never lingers on one particular decade for a prolonged period. So, even though the women are big balls of confusion, the story telling is anything but.
The acting in this film is incredible. Nicole Kidman (Woolf) makes it easy to forget that you are watching a person behind make up. Julianne Moore (Laura) and Meryl Streep (Clarissa) are surrounded by top-notch supporters John C. Reilly, Ed Harris and Allison Janney. No one acts inappropriately and the collective cast astounds.
I also want to congratulate director Stephen Daldry (“Billy Elliot”) and cinematographer Seamus McGarvey for creating the distinguishable range of feels for the three times. Each era was assigned its own look and style from the autumn, winds of change feel of Woolf’s time to the more sterilized, harsher feel of Clarissa’s. Mixed with the editing, the film works to grab hold of the audience sooner by bringing together all of these devises in a non-hokey and non-obvious manner.
Truly one of the better films of 2002, “The Hours” may not be entirely thought provoking, but it is a gripping story and an emotional film (potentially emotionally draining). If I have any problem with it, I would have to say that Philip Glass’ score sometimes seemed to want to take control over the scene and became slightly obtrusive. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed this one-way roller coaster ride.
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