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Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman, Ed Harris, Toni Collette ... see more see more... , Claire Danes , Jeff Daniels , Stephen Dillane , Allison Janney , John C. Reilly , Miranda Richardson , Eileen Atkins , Margo Martindale , Linda Bassett , Jack Rovello , Michael Culkin , Carmen De Lavallade , Colin Stinton , Daniel Brocklebank , Christian Coulson , George Loftus , Lyndsay Marshal , Charley Ramm , Sophie Wyburd

Three women, separated by a span of nearly 80 years, find themselves weathering similar crises, all linked by a single work of literature in this film adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by... read more read more... Michael Cunningham. In 1923, Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is attempting to start work on her novel Mrs. Dalloway, in which she chronicles one day in the life of a troubled woman. But Virginia has demons of her own, and she struggles to overcome the depression and suicidal impulses that have followed her throughout her life, as her husband Leonard (Stephen Dillane) ineffectually tries to help. In 1951, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is a housewife living in suburban Los Angeles, where she looks after her son Richie (Jack Rovello) and husband Dan (John C. Reilly). Laura is also an avid reader who is currently making her way through Mrs. Dalloway. The farther she gets into the novel, the more Laura discovers that it reflects a dissatisfaction she feels in her own life, and she finds herself pondering the notion of leaving her life behind. Finally, in 2000, Clarissa Vaughn (Meryl Streep) is a literary editor who is caring for Richard Brown (Ed Harris), a former boyfriend and noted author, who is slowly losing his fight with AIDS. Clarissa is trying to arrange a party to celebrate the fact that Richard has won a prestigious literary award, but is getting little help from Richard's ex-lover, Louis (Jeff Daniels). As she labors to help Richard through another day, he wonders if his life is worth the unending struggle. The Hours also features Toni Collette, Miranda Richardson, Allison Janney, and Claire Danes. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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83% liked it

82,067 ratings

Critics

81% liked it

185 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 54 min.

Directed by: Stephen Daldry

Release Date: December 27, 2002

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DVD Release Date: June 24, 2003

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Stats: 5,212 reviews

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"I think i'll buy the flowers myself..." Meryl Streep in The Hours The Hours The Hours (2002) Nicole wins an Oscar Allison Janney The Hours The Hours The Hours Left - Right: Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman The Hours The Hours The Hours The Hours The Hours The Hours Laura Brown The Hours
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Flixster Reviews (5,212)

  • moonrivers
    April 28, 2012
    moonrivers
    I had this for months and wouldn't watch it, afraid of what it might say while unclear as to what that might be. Well, its about living a life of quiet, inexpressible desperation. Yes, there are bits of feminist posturing done, all for one and one for all, "we are all brothers,... read more er, sisters united", but the hefty chunk is about finding reason to persevere. Multilayered, extremely well written and performed, music by Phillip Glass, and class. I should've watched it before.
  • thmtsang
    August 28, 2011
    thmtsang
    The movie spans different times, following the lives of three women. Nicole Kidman plays Virginia Wolfe, quite unrecognisably.
  • fb701560354
    August 20, 2011
    fb701560354
    The two hours it took to watch this astounding film, I was completely enraptured by the three stories in three different times which were seemingly unconnected but became beautifully interwoven near the end of the film, and by the powerful and impressive acting on display by the ... read morethree leads Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep. Don't miss this film. The Hours will not be wasted.
  • paulsandberg
    May 29, 2011
    paulsandberg
    For lack of a better phrase, The Hours is about Life. Of course life is one complex beast, full of contradictions and cross purposes; and really, when you think on it, life is about love - or the lack thereof (and since love is equally hard to pin down, one can see why life is o... read moreften such a jumble).

    The Hours is full of people doing the "right thing" for the wrong reasons, with people doing harm by trying to be protective. In the end we all must question why we do what we do, whether it be for selfish reasons or simply our innate desire to connect with someone or to stand for something. I don't want stray too much into the why's or wherefores of The Hours, as I urge you to let the intertwining stories unfold before you, but I will say this - it is beautifully filmed, wonderfully encapsulating the three periods involved; the 20's, 50's and new millennium.

    At the core of the film you have three actresses all at the top of their game. Nichole Kidman as Virginia Woolf (and I hope I needn't say more about the writer... but even if you have no idea, the film does a wonderful job of filling in the backstory). Moving to the 50's you have Juliane Moore as a typical housewife (although one who seems disconnected with her time and place (think Betty Draper in Mad Men if you will) - knowing that there is a deep well of dissatisfaction within her that goes contrary to the American Dream, but not understanding why. She has a young son with another on the way, and yet, while she loves her son, she looks at him as if he's some biological specimen under a microscope - not truly engaged or attached.

    Finally, in the "present" you have Meryl Streep, who is cohabitating with Allison Janney while caring for her former lover, Ed Harris, who is dying of AIDS. An interesting triangle, and while Streep is her usual wonderful self, Harris steals the film. His character is a poet who also wrote a complex novel about life, love and observations. The connections between he and Woolf are subtle but equally as important as those between Woolf, Moore and Streep.

    In lesser hands the film might simply be as I have presented it, but Stephen Daldry gives us so much nuance (which I'm assuming was in the original novel, since it was a Pulitzer winner), that the film is much more than the sum of its plot points. The attention to detail is wonderful and even some of the smaller, supporting roles seem to be full blown characters in their own right (particularly those of Leonard Woolf (Stephen Dillane) and a neighbor of Moore's, wonderfully played by Toni Collette).

    There is a revelation that comes about 3/4 through the film, and I'm not revealing it here. I didn't see it coming and it was one of those wonderful moments that enlightens and gives a different spin on everything you've seen before it without seeming false or pretentious. This is a masterfully done film in both style and substance, with top shelf actors giving oscar worthy performances (with Kidman receiving one), ensconced in a wonderfully literate screenplay and a moving and haunting score by Phillip Glass.
  • fernandorafael
    May 15, 2011
    fernandorafael
    A heavy (very heavy) but contained drama, The Hours is an acting tour de force. Nicole Kidman excels in her career-defining portrayal of Virginia Woolf and Meryl Streep does not disappoint (she never does, obviously). Proof that Julianne Moore is at her best when she's subtle (I ... read morestill have an issue with the way she cries, though). Toni Collette and Ed Harris are also noteworthy. The score by Philip Glass is the perfect complement for this subtle, austere drama.
  • jamers2011
    May 1, 2011
    jamers2011
    Absolutely fantastic! Watching The Hours was such a wonderful experience; it was one of those times where I felt like I experienced something unreal. I've seen a decent amount of movies, some good, some bad, but one of the things I love about watching films is that every once in ... read morea while you view something that completely takes you away, and surprises you like you never thought. It's usually impossible to describe why, but basically...film is powerful. The Hours is an incredible masterpiece!

    Everything about the film is excellent, bpecial mention has to go to the acting...The Hours is one of the absolute best displays of acting performances, ever...hands down. Nicole Kidman is stunning, Meryl Streep is perfect as usual, and Julianne Moore gives one of the best female peformances of all time. The three main actresses completely blew me away. The supporting cast was perfect also, not just very good, perfect. Toni Collete, Claire Danes, Jeff Daniels, Stephen Dillane, Allison Janney...they all are fantastic here, even when they may only have had a 5 or 6 minute scene. Ed Harris stands out as one of the strongest of the supporting cast!

    Also, the musical score by Phillip Glass is one of the best I have ever heard. It took the emotion to a whole other level.

    I recommend going into this film knowing as little about it as possible. I think it makes the experience so much stronger.

    The Hours is an incredible movie experience. I recommend it entirely!
  • stevenecarrier
    January 31, 2011
    stevenecarrier
    "The Hours" is an emotional sucker punch and an acting showcase unlike any other. Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep are three of the best actresses from this generation and this picture proves it in spades. It's beautiful, lyrical, and transporting.
  • Tomassgringo
    August 21, 2010
    Tomassgringo
    Watched this based solely on a friend's recommendation and I loved it!
  • SarahG1988
    August 18, 2010
    SarahG1988
    This may very well become one of my favourite films after watching it the other night.The running time flew by very quickly. There is something incredibly powerful in this film that you just can't take your eyes off. Contains some of the best acting in cinema you're ever likely t... read moreo see and a brilliant soundtrack. Just a perfect film for me.
  • SirPant
    August 17, 2010
    SirPant
    An awesome portrait of depression shown through the lives of three women in three different areas, all connected by one book. It's not an idea you'd think would work if you saw it written down but thanks to the excellent script, beautiful (and theatrical) direction and powerful p... read moreerformances, it works brilliantly. I'm cross with myself for not reading the book first but it still stands so well as a film. I can find little fault with it, maybe the music was a little over done at times and I wouldn't have said Nicole Kidmans performance was better than any of the other actors but I digress, to say this film really impressed me would be an understatement, It's just brilliant!

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Critic Reviews

Jonathan Rosenbaum
February 11, 2008
Jonathan Rosenbaum, Chicago Reader

David Hare's screen adaptation reduces Woolf and her art to a set of feminist stances and a few plot points, without reference to style or form. Full Review

Peter Rainer
August 7, 2004
Peter Rainer, New York Magazine

A puzzling and forbidding strangeness. Full Review

Joe Baltake
January 17, 2003
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

The film manages to be cinematic and transporting even though we generally spend most of our time listening to people talk to one another (and themselves). Full Review

Eric Harrison
January 17, 2003
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle

A compelling, moving film that respects its audience and its source material. Full Review

Tom Long
January 17, 2003
Tom Long, Detroit News

As stunning an acting showcase as you'll find.

Robert Denerstein
January 17, 2003
Robert Denerstein, Denver Rocky Mountain News

The acting, for the most part, is terrific, although the actors must struggle with the fact that they're playing characters who sometimes feel more like literary conceits than flesh-and-blood humans.

Terry Lawson
January 17, 2003
Terry Lawson, Detroit Free Press

The performances are so beautifully synchronized -- for which Hare, Daldry and editor Peter Boyle also deserve credit -- that it is impossible to choose one as being better than another. Full Review

Bill Muller
January 17, 2003
Bill Muller, Arizona Republic

Virtually humorless and extremely talky, the movie takes place during one day in each woman's life, although it moves so slowly it often feels like a week.

Rex Reed
January 16, 2003
Rex Reed, New York Observer

Fragmented and stinking vaguely of literary pretentiousness, The Hours is a stretch -- it's missing the spinal fusion that might have held it together with the kind of cinematic coherence I found sadl...

Carrie Rickey
January 16, 2003
Carrie Rickey, Philadelphia Inquirer

Though Daldry elicits brilliant performances, particularly from Meryl Streep and Claire Danes, on balance The Hours is more pretentious than penetrating about existential despair.

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Facts

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    • Clarissa Vaughn: I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know, that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself: So, this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts. And of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn't the beginning. It was happiness. It was the moment. Right then.
    • Virginia Woolf: Dear Leonard. To look life in the face, always, to look life in the face and to know it for what it is. At last to know it, to love it for what it is, and then, to put it away. Leonard, always the years between us, always the years. Always the love. Always the hours.
    • Virginia Woolf: Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more.
    • Angelica Bell: What happens when we die?
    • Virginia Woolf: What happens? We return to the place that we came from.
    • Angelica Bell: I don't remember where I came from.
    • Virginia Woolf: Nor do I.
    • Angelica Bell: She looks smaller.
    • Virginia Woolf: Yes, that's one of the thing that happens. You look smaller.
    • Angelica Bell: But so peaceful.
    • Laura Brown: It would be wonderful to say you regretted it. It would be easy. But what does it mean? What does it mean to regret when you have no choice? It's what you can bear. There it is. No one's going to forgive me. It was death. I chose life.
    • Richard Brown: I don't think I can make it to the party, Clarissa.
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The Hours Trivia

  • In "The Hours", what item and for whom does Virginia Woolf send Nelly off to London to fetch?  Answer »
  • In what movie is the line " You can not find peace by avoiding life" said?  Answer »
  • Which actress has starred in all of the following:- - The Fugitive - Far From Heaven - The Big Lebowski - Freedomland - The Hours  Answer »
  • Which actress has starred in all of the following:- - The Deer Hunter - Kramer vs. Kramer - Out of Africa - Silkwood - The Hours  Answer »
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