The Hours (2002)

The story of how the novel "Mrs. Dalloway" affects three generations of women, all of whom, in one way or another, have had to deal with suicide in their lives.

Director:

Stephen Daldry

Writers:

Michael Cunningham (novel), David Hare (screenplay)

Stars:

Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Nicole Kidman

Won 1 Oscar. Another 38 wins & 71 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Meryl Streep	...	Clarissa Vaughan
Julianne Moore	...	Laura Brown
Nicole Kidman	...	Virginia Woolf
Ed Harris	...	Richard Brown
Toni Collette	...	Kitty
Claire Danes	...	Julia Vaughan
Jeff Daniels	...	Louis Waters
Stephen Dillane	...	Leonard Woolf
Allison Janney	...	Sally Lester
John C. Reilly	...	Dan Brown
Miranda Richardson	...	Vanessa Bell
Eileen Atkins	...	Barbara in Flower Shop
Margo Martindale	...	Mrs. Latch
Linda Bassett	...	Nelly Boxall
George Loftus	...	Quentin Bell

Storyline

In 1951, Laura Brown, a pregnant housewife, is planning a party for her husband, but she can't stop reading the novel 'Mrs. Dalloway'. Clarissa Vaughn, a modern woman living in present times is throwing a party for her friend Richard, a famous author dying of AIDS. These two stories are simultaneously linked to the work and life of Virginia Woolf, who's writing the novel mentioned before.

---

Plot Keywords:

novel | party | reading | housewife | publisher | 

---

Taglines:

Three Different Women. Each Living a Lie.

---

Genres:

Drama

---

Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for mature thematic elements, some disturbing images and brief language

Details

Official Sites:

Official Facebook Official site

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

24 January 2003 (USA)

Also Known As:

Las horas

Filming Locations:

Biltmore Hotel - 1200 Anastasia Avenue, Coral Gables, Florida, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$25,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$243,089 (Japan) (30 May 2003)

Gross:

$3,246,655 (Japan) (4 July 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Paramount Pictures, Miramax Films, Scott Rudin Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

At the Academy Awards ceremony on 23 March 2003, Denzel Washington said as he announced the nominees and winner for Best Actress in a Leading Role, "...and the winner, by a nose, is Nicole Kidman," in reference to Kidman having worn a prosthetic nose for her performance in the movie.

---

Goofs

The bag of flour in the background when Laura Brown is talking to Kitty at the coffee table.

---

Quotes

Laura Brown: Baby. Baby, you have to be brave now.

---

Connections

Referenced in Shrek 2 (2004)

---

Soundtracks

"Metamorphosis 2"
by Philip Glass
Courtesy of Euphorbia Productions, New York, New York

User Reviews

Three Women

The Hours is a great achievement for all of the people involved in this project. Credit must go to the director, Stephen Daldry, who pulls all the elements together.

Having admired the text where this film is based, I wondered what would any writer do with Michael Cunningham's book where three lives of three different eras intermingle with one another. David Hare treatment of the material rings true to the novel in which it's based.

The biggest revelation in the film is Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf. I have been a great admirer of this, up to now, underrated Australian actress, right from her beginnings down under. Her approach to the role is very subdued, perhaps underplaying, where someone else might try to have gone over the top stressing Virginia's madness. All the praise Ms Kidman has received for this film is certainly well deserved.

The other great performance is Julianne Moore. This actress keeps getting better and better with any new appearance on the screen. Her Laura Brown is a pathetic figure. She's a desperate soul trapped in the Los Angeles suburbia of the 40s. She has a man, who obviously loves her. She has a son who shows all the signs, even then, of what he might ultimately become in life. Laura wants to end it all. She just doesn't belong in that world of domestic bliss. Ms Moore gets the right tone in playing Laura. There's not a wrong movement in her approach to this demanding role.

The third outstanding portrayal is Meryl Streep's. The sure hand of the director is obviously behind her reining the excesses she likes so well. This Clarissa Vaughan is in limbo in her own life. Her relationship with the younger lover is clearly over, or at least seen better days. Ms Streep gives a dignified reading of this character.

The rest of the cast is brilliant: Miranda Richardson, Tony Colette, Ed Harris, John C. Reilly, and little Jack Rovello. They are all on the mark.