The Hours

Stephen Daldry and his college drama, where an ambitious storytelling style is aptly matched by impressive performances (though the focus is on the central female trio, Ed Harris leaves a damn strong stamp on it). The problem comes at the level of some deeper identification with the characters, as the whole thing felt like it had to come automatically. With Philip Glass's fantastic score, the aforementioned performances by the cast, and the crafted, essentially flawless direction, you just can't help but feel the slightest emotional emptiness at the end. I may not be the target audience (and I'm a pretty big target even at 31) and I can't connect to the fates of the female characters as deeply as Stephen Daldry, but I still have to say that everything else here is great. I find it fascinating that such a powerful female story could be so intimately and sensitively directed by a man, hats off to him. [80%] (11/29/2020)

For me, unfortunately, it's a clear case of a film that pretends to be great art and yet is boring and uninteresting to the point of shame. Really, the only thing that impressed me in that dreary flood of boredom was the beautiful music and the excellent performances of everyone present; except perhaps Nicole Kidman, who played her difficult role perfectly, but after the hard work of the make-up artists she looked so ugly that I didn't have the strength to watch her consistently. In the end, however, all the shining ladies were overshadowed by the absolutely stunning Ed Harris, whose performance only added to the list of "The Oscar should have gone to...". Maybe it would take one more viewing to absorb it all, but to be honest I'll probably never find the courage to do that. (06/13/2013)

I wouldn’t want to see this dubbed, the performances are fantastic. Nicole Kidman with her fake nose and wig is really unrecognizable and she is great as an introverted, depressed woman. But Julianne Moore is even better, she should have got the Oscar, it is “her” film. Her scene in the hotel is such an emotional barrage that it would be enough for one film on its own. But Daldry doesn't spare the audience and the film is emotionally gripping from start to finish. In short, The Hours is a hundred minutes of crackling emotion, perfectly enhanced by Phillip Glass's magnificent score. It's not very often that I get chills when I watch a movie these days, but it happened a lot with this film. I am really happy that films like this are still being made. It was a massive surprise, I didn’t expect much and it was so good! (07/01/2003)

An unquestionably effective film with great direction and superb performances (Julianne Moore!), but I was unable to relate to the characters. The women’s worldviews are portrayed so perfectly that I could not understand them. In short, my ideas simply don’t agree with this film. It took about two years and then she told him: Hey, I’m lesbian. Wow. (02/12/2011)

If it weren't for Stephen Glass's music in The Hours, they would be at least half as good. But even if so, we are left with an incredible acting concert by three actresses and one actor. It is a quite depressing experience to see all the heroines sail through a very sad day, incomparable and sometimes completely the same. Above all, absolute concentration is required, otherwise the motivations of the heroines might seem ridiculous and their reactions hysterical to many people. And also, a sign prohibiting cynics should not be missing from the cover. At first, I kept some reservation, big or small, but the gradual crescendo is breathtaking and leaves no room for doubt. With the twist or the devastating final monologue, a very specific and oppressive impression remains in the heart. With distance, however, I sober up a bit and adjust my rating slightly lower. The crescendo, despite its first-class ending, stutters slightly in some places, and as a whole, the film is perhaps a little elusive. Nevertheless, significantly positive impressions and let me not forget to mention my favorite from the fateful trio - Nicole Kidman. (02/04/2006)