Xbel

ROCKSTAR

This movie was terrific. I was haunted by Nicole Kidman's performance for weeks after I watched this. The ending was so heartbreaking.

I loved the way she kept talking about the book, "the poet will die." She was living the story in her mind, the pieces going back and forth until she found the perfect place for them.

missmin

I absolutely *loved* this movie - I have watched it a surprising number of times. I think it's beautiful, and all the performances are so top notch. Nicole Kidman completely deserved that Oscar for this - the scene where she's talking about "If it is to be between Richmond and death...I choose death." I loooove it.

Have you read the book? It's so so good.

AutumnColorsღ

I just watched the trailers, and it looks real good! Im going to have to check it out.

xallyx

Ok, I must be the only person that thinks Nicole Kidman is completely over-rated in this film...The whole time I was watching her I just couldn't believe in the character. On the other hand, I thought Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore were great. To me they weren't acting...they were the characters I was watching.

Xbel

Will reply to your posts soon.

goodnightboy

Oh, gosh. I have watched The Hours three times (not any recently, though - they were bunched together where I made everyone I knew watch it - and watched it with them) and each and every time I have been blown away by the strength of the acting from all three women (and the supporting cast: Ed Harris especially), the cleverness of the interlinking plots (though this is more Michael Cunningham's doing), the directing. But mostly the acting.

I will have to watch the film again to fully put into words how much I am affected and moved by this film, but suffice to say this was one of the best movies I have ever watched. Somehow it's a film to be watched late at night, the way I did when I watched it for the first time: at 2 or 3am, at my friend's house but by myself (because I was there for a sleepover and everyone else had fallen asleep) and being wide awake despite the hour, with my friend's cat for company...and, simply, drowning in the film from the opening shot onwards. I remember being so affected by it when it was over - the mark of a good film - I was so melancholy the whole day. Probably didn't help that I watched it again, later on in the same day Point is, I feel like watching it now - it's about the right time too, 1am. And obviously I can't recreate the exact same conditions (no cat, for starters) but I don't think I'll be watching it today. When I do I'm sure I'll be back here. (And yes I do sound rather melodramatic here, but it's all true, seriously).

I have read the book! I watched the movie first, though. I loved both. I'm glad I watched the film first, though, because I'm sure I would've been disappointed (or less impressed, at any rate) had I read the book first, It's always what happens when filmmakers change things in the movie. And while normally I prefer books to the movie version, I'm torn about this one. Some of the dialogue has been changed, but I love both - I suppose I should just think of it as something good, liking both, rather than trying to decide which is better

shrrshrr

I couldn't watch this. I rented it several times from NetFlix, but it was too heavy for me at the time (I was going through a lot of family issues). I think I'll try re-renting it...

taovande

It's one of my favorite movies as well.

The three ladies were superb in their roles. Nicole was breathtaking and Julianne was heartbreaking, and Meryl was...well, Meryl.

I haven't seen the movie in a few years--but I remember really liking the score.

I'll have to rewatch this one again soon.

goodnightboy

Mmm, the Phillip Glass score. I loved it, too - added so much layer to the movie. It's funny, though, as I was watching it for the first time I sat there after it ended, and as the Glass score ended 'Clocks' started playing. And I thought, "oh, this is appropriate somehow", although it was strange listening to pop music in the movie after the entire movie had the score...it was only a while later then I realised that 'Clocks' wasn't from the movie, it was my friend's phone ringing it went well together, though, and it came in just as the score ended

Xbel

Wow, thanks for all your great thoughts and inputs! I will answer this evening.

Xbel

Her performances always haunt me. She is the embodiment of a real, talented actress, unlike so many others. That excludes all the other actresses of "The Hours" ofcourse. She's just incredible.
In my opinion, only for Richard and Virginia Woolf. But even for them they found peace with the decisions and actions they made, so it was a nice ending for them, I thought.
Oh yes, so magnificent.
Oh me too, me too. Specially the little smile she gives Leonard after he says "Oh well, London then."
I actually bought it last week, because I'm just so curious about reading the book from where the story comes from. Sadly, I haven't got round to reading it yet, but it's holiday soon... I also bought "Mrs. Dalloway" and am blown away by the first few pages.
You've never heard of it before? You must watch it! Have you watched it since you wrote this post?
You are the only one! But I do think Nicole Kidman's voice was sometimes too deep and scratchy, and her English accent exaggerated.
Have you watched it again?
Interesting - this film never makes me sad or melancholic - it's the sort of film that leaves me with pure joy of being alive, and that feeling of being pleased with everything I've experienced so far, fully appreciating it. It also leaves me with the feeling that my whole life is in fron of me and I've got so many things to look forward to and live through!
It will be the other way round for me. Another great thing about this film is the fact that Michael Cunningham, the writer of the book, is so very pleased and satisfied with how they made his book into a film. Which doesn't really surprise you, considering the cast and crew they has!
Very understandable. Is it difficult for you because you were going through something similar as any of the characters? How much did you watch when deciding you wouldn't want to watch the rest? Have you rewatched it yet?
Love how you state this... words are never enough for Meryl's talent. I feel the same way.
The score is... well, it's Philip Glass! Did you rewatch it? (I'm asking everyone the same question )
Interesting coincidence, and very funny. Clocks from which singer?

I've got a question: Why do you think Leonard cries so much, in a supressed way, after he says "We'll go back to London then.?" A picture as a refresher:

I've added some stuff to the opening post, by the way. I'll update all the time, when I have time. Thanks again for posting and I look forward to your next responses!

Xbel

Just bringing this on top again...

missmin

After I read this book, I read all of Michael Cunningham's other stuff - I cannot recommend it highly enough - he has a beautiful way with words. "A Home at The End of the World" I especially loved.

I've always thought that it's because he realizes that he isn't able to "save" her so to speak by keeping her in the country and away from her personal demons, and that he knows that if she goes back to the city and the life she lives in the city with all its demons and stresses that she's going to go mad again, and she might not get better this time, but he has to let her do what she feels she has to do.

OMG, I am so watching this again today. It has been too long!

Xbel

Very easy to believe that they're so good. While "imdb-ing" Meryl Streep, I found this, which will interest any fan of his work. I guess it was to be expected that he and Meryl Streep work together again, eh?
Makes all the sense in the world now! Thanks for explaining!
Looking forward to your post after that.