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At first glance, you might think that “The Hours” is one of those
films that you’re supposed to think is good if you want all of your
friends to think that you’re one of those sophisticated smarty-pants
types. It’s got all the telltale signs: period scenes, Meryl Streep
and a story line revolving around women. On top of that, the book
that it is based on won The Pulitzer Prize. These are all the things
that are usually strung together to make an unwatchable film that no
one dares criticize lest they be called stupid for not understanding
the true art of the film.
Despite all of these trappings, “The Hours” is really as good as it
promises.
We follow three women throughout a single day of their lives.
Virginia Wolfe on the day she begins Mrs. Dalloway; Laura Brown, a
50’s housewife on her husband’s birthday; Clarissa, a modern-day
woman forever afflicted with the nickname “Mrs. Dalloway” by the
very man that has spurned all of her party plans for the day.
For those not lucky enough to have been through many literature
classes, Mrs. Dalloway holds some of the greatest themes in all of
literature. First, Mrs. Dalloway is proof that everyone’s life is
worthy of great literature. Secondly, Mrs. Dalloway shows that a
person’s entire life is reflected throughout the actions of a single
day – hour by hour, a life and all of it’s underpinnings and secrets
play themselves out in the smallest actions, utterances and sighs.
In this film, the lives of Virginia, Laura and Clarissa are
intertwined, showing a single day for each of them as it rolls
through the hours.
Virginia Wolfe, tragically more infamous for her depression and
suicide, is caught in her suburban existence trying to continue her
writing career outside of London.
Laura Brown is living an idyllic 50’s suburban life that she knows
she should want. She’s pregnant with her second child, her son
adores her and her husband is simply happy to have this small life
after the war.
Clarissa, the other Mrs. Dalloway, plans a party for her dear friend
and former lover, Richard on the day that he is to receive a major
poetry prize. She cares for Richard who is dying of AIDS all while
maintaining a career, a relationship and a college-age daughter.
It is inevitable that as the hours pass, you will see where the
fissures in each of these lives exist. For this is the truth in all
of us – that as our lives progress hour by hour, there are those
things that are hidden just below the surface waiting for the
slightest nudge to rise and scream. There are hours that are more
successful than others, but there are simply hours where these
things must either be dealt with or one will find them taking over.
The question becomes whether the hours will reveal a complacency to
this sentence or if they will eventually reveal an escape.
The Usual:
What It’s Worth: Full-fare with time to spend discussing afterwards.
Main Reason To See This Film: These are the most amazing
performances by women in all of 2002.
Main Reason Not To See This Film: If you want to know what happens
the next day to these women, you’re out of luck.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 |
