The Hours (2002)
When you put Meryl Streep, Julianne
Moore and Nicole Kidman in a film, you expect sparks
to fly. Maybe because the three amazing actresses
never appear together on screen in "The Hours," the
opposite is the effect. You get a decent movie but
one that is sorely disappointing in its ability to
evoke any sort of emotional response.
Separated into the neat little compartments
of their individual stories, the actresses in the
piece can't seem to ignite any sparks, although Streep
comes close. For the most part, however, the film
just sorta lays there.
Maybe it would be helpful to have
some knowledge of the novel that is so important to
the triumvirate of stories here, "Mrs. Dalloway" by
Virginia Woolf. I have never read it and have no idea
what it is truly about. "The Hours" only gives you
a brief insight into the novel and, so, much of the
apparent cohesiveness of the story is lost on the
uninitiated.
Kidman plays Woolf at supposedly
just about the time she is writing the novel. Again,
I have no background knowledge of Woolf (I thought
she was a lesbian... that is really barely explored
here). So much of Kidman's story is lost on me. There's
a whole bunch of hubbub about Woolf being suicidal
and in constant need of attention but since I have
no personal insight into the author's life story,
this segment of the film simply lays there.
Then there's Julianne Moore as a
50's housewife reading "Mrs. Dalloway." Apparently
Moore's character's life echoes that of Mrs. Dalloway
somewhat. Let's face it, Moore is trekking on territory
somewhat reminiscent of her character in "Far From
Heaven" here and that negates any impact this section
might have. She should have opted out of one of these
movies (and by that I mean this one). There's no dramatic
thrust here and all one comes away with is the notion
that "Far From Heaven" is a far better film than "The
Hours."
The Meryl Streep story is somewhat
interesting but only because Streep makes it so. Still,
Streep too can be seen in a far better film this season,
"Adaptation." Anyway, Ed Harris is just awful as her
AIDS-stricken former lover who can't deal well with
his illness. Maybe I'm just sick of AIDS stories.
They're so 80's There's not much new going on here
either and it all seems so overwrought and tiresome.
I think the most interesting subject
matter in the film is the lesbian undertones of the
three characters in the film. Certainly dealing with
their homosexual feelings is touched lightly upon
in the three stories. But only Moore's characters
lesbianism really has a powerful moment in this film.
Truly, in fact, it is this theme that is the true
thrust of her storyline. But again, the Moore story
is negated because of its similarity to "Far From
Heaven." And it is explored so tenuously as to be
almost lost on the casual viewer.
The Moore and Streep stories also
collide in the most horrible and contrived ending
imaginable. It deflates the entire film. Director
Stephen Daldry, oh he of "Billy Elliot" fame, certainly
does a wonderful job of creating period detail. His
work behind the camera cannot be denied. But he can't
seem to pace or edit the film into a desirable story.
It all seems like a jumbled mess. He also uses Phillip
Glass music which constantly screams, "Hey - it's
a score by Phillip Glass." We notice it when it is
under a scene and we notice even more when it isn't.
The silence in this film is deafening.
I really wanted to like "The Hours."
I didn't hate it. It's hard not to enjoy Kidman, Moore
and Streep hard at work. But the film didn't affect
me one bit. And I just kept asking myself why I wasn't
more impressed.
Notes:
Also with Toni Collette, Claire
Danes, Allison Janney, and John C. Reily.
Based on the 1998 Pulitzer Prize
winning novel by Michael Cunningham. Script by David
Hare.
At one time Gwyneth Paltrow was
to play Moore's role.
Filmed in 2001.
The film has won several critical
awards and is nominated for several Golden Globes.
Viewed in December 2002.
