The Hours

[Ewan's My Man]

OMG...I LOOOOOOOOOOVED that movie. I was suprised that I liked it so much, I didn't think I would...I'm not a huge fan of dramas...but I rented it and watched it...and I just loved it! It made you think. And it was really suspenseful in some ways. That movie was AWESOME.

[dandelion wine]

The Hours is one of the best movies I've seen this year.. I couldn't stop thinking about it long after I'd finished watching it.

Even with all the talk about her appearance in the movie, I never saw Nicole Kidman as anyone but Virginia Wolff and I thought she gave a wonderful performance.

[phoebe7165]

I liked it, too, but OMG, what a depressing movie!!! I mean, I didn't expect it to be a knee-slapping laugh fest, but still. I liked how the 3 womens stories were shown intertwined. I really like Nicole anyway, even as homely as she looked, and I also like Julianne and Meryl. :) ;)

[Josh9125]

I love that movie too.

[*ShortCake*]

me too!! i got a little choked up at the end.... it was really deep.. really good.. i cant wait until nicoles new movie comes out soon!!

[HIGH ENOUGH]

I liked the movie, but I didn't understand it. Could someone explain it to me?

[Josh9125]

Originally posted by ONE LIFE TO LIVE
I liked the movie, but I didn't understand it. Could someone explain it to me?

I think it's basically just about how life is in general.

[Kay Scarpetta]

Originally posted by ONE LIFE TO LIVE
I liked the movie, but I didn't understand it. Could someone explain it to me?

Hopefully this summary can help you :)

Boasting an exemplary cast, purposeful direction, authentic production values, and a haunting musical score, The Hours is a sincere praiseworthy attempt to adapt Michael Cunningham's prize-winning novel to the screen. It is provocative, introspective, hopeful, and at times downright desolate. As evidenced by the opening sequence, the value of life itself is called into question and it sets the tone for the rest of the film.

The complex storyline focuses on one day in the lives of three women from three different generations. Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is living outside of London with her husband in 1923, recovering from mental illness and beginning work on her now famous novel, Mrs. Dalloway. Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is a 1950's suburban housewife, married to a World War II veteran (John C. Reilly), raising a small boy while expecting another child. And then there is Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep), a present-day version of Mrs. Dalloway, so named by her one-time lover and now AIDS-stricken writer Richard (Ed Harris), living in New York and planning one of her renowned parties for him following his reception of a prestigious poetry award.

Yet there is a common thread among them that effaces any 'real' normalcy in their lives and ultimately forces each of them to make life-altering decisions. Themes revolving around feminism and sexual preference stir just below the surface. But it is the prevailing sadness of these women brought on by the confinements of a restrictive and often stifling society that is at the core of this film. Their yearning for something more or for that 'one perfect moment' in time places each of them in the painful position to question their own existence. The sequences in each of their lives are carefully interwoven throughout the movie, enhancing their parallel struggles.

The Hours is skillfully directed by Stephen Daldry and contains some of the finest performances of the year. Julianne Moore's depiction of Laura Brown is filled with subtlety and nuance. She epitomizes a 1950's housewife with a constant shiny exterior who can barely contain the internal struggle of her life's claustrophobic confinements. Meryl Streep's Clarissa Vaughn, though bound by memories of her past, is somewhat less restricted in her character as a modern New York editor living with her female lover and therefore has more opportunity to display her considerable emotional range.

However it is Nicole Kidman's portrayal of Virginia Woolf that is the most mesmerizing and transforming performance in the film. She is completely submerged as the famous novelist of the early twentieth century. The hype concerning Kidman's prosthetic proboscis and its alleged distraction is much ado about nothing. To the contrary, it enhances her performance and allows her characterization of Virginia Woolf to fully emerge. Audiences will not recognize her, nor should they.

But if it is familiar players and plotlines you are seeking then The Hours is not for you. It is neither fantasy nor escapism, yet what it lacks in pure entertainment it makes up for with introspection and a somewhat hopeful ending.

[HIGH ENOUGH]

Thanks, Josh and Miss Karly. :)

[Kay Scarpetta]

Originally posted by ONE LIFE TO LIVE
Thanks, Josh and Miss Karly. :)

Don't mention it :)

[Ewan's My Man]

Originally posted by Miss Karly
Don't mention it :)

OMG! I keep on thinking ur Crystal b/c of your avatar. I never look at ur screen name, always the avatar...and then finally, after I read the post I realize it's you.

[Kay Scarpetta]

Originally posted by Ewan's My Man
OMG! I keep on thinking ur Crystal b/c of your avatar. I never look at ur screen name, always the avatar...and then finally, after I read the post I realize it's you.

:lol: We knew everyone would get us confused.

[webuster]

I still haven't seen the hours, and I'm not entirely sure what it's about. I'll rent it soon anyway-it's out now isn't it? Anyway-Joanne Moore's a fantastic actress, I've never really been a fan of Kidman (she does the same kinda of movies too much-but she'll be in The Stepford Wives next year-which I definitely won't miss) and I'm not sure if I've ever seen a Meryl Streep film. But Moore was brilliant in Cookies Fortune with Glenn Close-has anyone else seen that film? It's on tv every so often now.

[*ShortCake*]

Originally posted by webuster
I still haven't seen the hours, and I'm not entirely sure what it's about. I'll rent it soon anyway-it's out now isn't it? Anyway-Joanne Moore's a fantastic actress, I've never really been a fan of Kidman (she does the same kinda of movies too much-but she'll be in The Stepford Wives next year-which I definitely won't miss) and I'm not sure if I've ever seen a Meryl Streep film. But Moore was brilliant in Cookies Fortune with Glenn Close-has anyone else seen that film? It's on tv every so often now.

Are you serious about Nicole doing the same kind of movies?? Practical Magic is different, Far and Away is different so is Portrait of a Lady. Also Moulin Rouge, is different.. along with The Others. Shes also making Bewitched, Cold Mountain, along with the stepford wives. So they are all different roles if you get my drift. My suggestion is to go see more of her movies because they are awesome. Also see Birthday Girl, and The PeaceMaker too. To Die For is also pretty funny!!

[Josh9125]

I can't wait for Stepford Wives, Cold Mountain, & The Human Stain. I hope they end up filming the Bewitched movie, that will be awesome!

[Ewan's My Man]

Originally posted by Miss Karly
:lol: We knew everyone would get us confused.

;) :p

[*ShortCake*]

Originally posted by Josh9125
I can't wait for Stepford Wives, Cold Mountain, & The Human Stain. I hope they end up filming the Bewitched movie, that will be awesome!

They are!! its coming outnext year i think :)

[Josh9125]

Originally posted by *ShortCake*
They are!! its coming outnext year i think :)

Yeah I know it's being planned, but there's always a chance they wont do it. I sure hope so!