The Hours

Name: The Hours
Genre: Drama
Released: December 27, 2002
Duration: 114 min
Rating: 80
Cast: Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman

2002

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 40 Critic Reviews

See All

USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 217 Ratings

See All

8.4

VOTE NOW

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

8.4	Your Score
8.4	User Score Universal acclaim based on 217 Ratings

Would you like to write a review?

There is a 75 character minimum for reviews. If your review contains spoilers, please check the Spoiler box. Please do not use ALL CAPS. There is no linking or other HTML allowed. Your review may be edited for content. 0/5000

Check box if your review contains spoilers

Play Sound

Please enter your birth date to watch this video:

You are not allowed to view this material at this time.

The Hours

Now Playing: The Hours

Movie Details & Credits

Paramount Pictures | Release Date: December 27, 2002 | PG-13

Starring: Julianne Moore, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman

Summary: The story of three women searching for more potent, meaningful lives. Each is alive at a different time and place; all are linked by their yearnings and their fears. [Paramount]

Director: Stephen Daldry

Genre(s): Drama

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 114 min

See All Details and Credits

Watch Now

Stream On

Buy on

Stream On

Expand

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

Stephen Holden

Ms. Kidman, in a performance of astounding bravery, evokes the savage inner war waged by a brilliant mind against a system of faulty wiring that transmits a searing, crazy static into her brain. Read full review

100

Andrew O'Hehir

Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore bring dignity and Oscar-worthy performances to The Hours, a lovingly crafted meditation on death, loss and literature. Read full review

Kirk Honeycutt

The Hours makes for a fascinating and ultimately successful stunt in its cross-cutting among the decades. Read full review

Rick Kisonak

Proved that cheerless, existentially unflinching literature can provide the basis for exhilarating cinema. Read full review

Ty Burr

Still: The Hours is a book about people writing, reading, and living another book, and that literariness makes the movie resist itself. Read full review

Dallas Observer Gregory Weinkauf

It's a noble work, an elegant work, a compassionate work -- and a somewhat tedious and glaringly self-important work. Read full review

David Edelstein

I found the film -- excruciatingly flat-footed, with one of the most exasperating scores (by Philip Glass) ever written. The most fascinating thing in the movie is a nose. Read full review

SEE ALL 40 REVIEWS

Write a Review

User Reviews

smijatov

Aug 12, 2010

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is one of the masterpieces of the early 20th century, in my opinion.
Every aspect of the film works perfectly: make-up, costumes, editing, directing, the score and, of course, the acting.

Besides the perfect score by Philip Glass, one cannot but focus on the breath-taking performances that all of the actors have given us. Nicole Kidman is just mesmerising as Virginia Woolf and is literally unrecognisable. Very moving performances, that gives us a glimpse of what a genius' inner struggle could have looked like. Julianne Moore as well - perfect as the 50s housewife who goes through a life crisis of her own. Meryl Streep is just herself. Always good, with a devastating breakdown scene in her kitchen. The supporting cast is also spectacular - especially Ed Harris and Toni Collette.

And I must say that the film is very faithful to the book, which is praise-worthy. The screenplay was written so well, that one cannot but congratulate David Hare for it and wonder how he did not get more recognition for it, for he surely deserves it.
All in all - the best film of 2002, if not of the entire decade: 10/10.… Expand

4 of 4 users found this helpful40

Nadie

Jun 16, 2007

This movie makes you really believe that cinema is the 7th art form. The magnificent script is complemented by astonishing performances that are very well directed and edited to perfection. The cherry on top: Mr. Glass music.

0 of 0 users found this helpful

SamuelH.

Apr 11, 2003

The Hours got the best ensemble in the SAG awards, probably because we don't see a single actor/ actress shine through the whole movie. Just like Chicago, Every cast members get at least some screen time. Nicole Kidman is just one of the actresses in this movie that's " It" Meryl The Hours got the best ensemble in the SAG awards, probably because we don't see a single actor/ actress shine through the whole movie. Just like Chicago, Every cast members get at least some screen time. Nicole Kidman is just one of the actresses in this movie that's " It" Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Nicole Kidman form the perfect ensemble in expressing the fears, the purpose of living, and the reason of happiness in life. The three women's lives are all intertwined with David Hare's magnificent prose and Philip Glass' great score. Ignore what you hear about the homosexual content of this film, and people not understanding what is going on. We should acknowledge Stephen Daldry's great adaptation of Michael Cunningham's novel of the same title. … Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful

EinarJ.

Apr 27, 2008

After having read Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Wolfe, I decided it was time to watch the critically acclaimed, the Hours. I've heard of its supposed monotony and depressionista egotism. But, the performances are beautiful on nearly every level. Nicole Kidman transforms herself entirely, After having read Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Wolfe, I decided it was time to watch the critically acclaimed, the Hours. I've heard of its supposed monotony and depressionista egotism. But, the performances are beautiful on nearly every level. Nicole Kidman transforms herself entirely, fearing her isolation, and her self-control. True, the characters reveal themselves as foolishly ignorant and self-important. Julianne Moore, with her crumbling visage, shows losing her artificiality which she copes with every day and plans for her own happiness and veers from any insanity. Meryl Streep portrays someone needing something, that she will never obtain for herself, almost crashing into the whole mess of things. All the characters portray that behind closed doors, things aren't as perfect as they seem. The script and score perfect the movie, along with the effectively chosen supporting cast. Classic beauty.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful

Rcavey92212

Jul 23, 2020

When I first saw this film I had no idea what i was in for, i dont think i completely understood it. Watching it all these years later it just completely blows me away. Directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) and based on the bestseller. The Hours tells the epic tale of three women livingWhen I first saw this film I had no idea what i was in for, i dont think i completely understood it. Watching it all these years later it just completely blows me away. Directed by Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot) and based on the bestseller. The Hours tells the epic tale of three women living in separate decades but connected. Nicole Kidman stars as Virginia Wolf the amazing writer who suffered from a deep depression that rules her days and nights. Julianne Moore is a housewife in the 50s obligated to her husband and hiding her true self and sexuality. Meryl Streep stars as a woman in a lesbian relationship organizing a party for her dying friend. The movie links their stories as they go through each day trying desperately to survive for the people they love. It's an amazing, epic, powerful film that explores a story we've never seen. Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore and Ed Harris deliver award worthy performances. But the film belongs to a mesmerizing Nicole Kidman who deservedly won the Academy Award. Allison Janney, Claire Danes, Stephen Dillane, Miranda Richardson, John C. Reilly, Toni Colette and Jeff Daniels also make for a solid supporting cast.

Budget: $25M
Box Office: $108.8M

9/10… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

FilipeNeto

Feb 14, 2021

There are few writers in the 20'th century who have had lives as troubled and tragic as Virginia Woolf. Born in a golden cradle, she was sexually abused by her older siblings to the point of becoming depressed and having developed schizophrenia and a repressed bisexuality. A short life,There are few writers in the 20'th century who have had lives as troubled and tragic as Virginia Woolf. Born in a golden cradle, she was sexually abused by her older siblings to the point of becoming depressed and having developed schizophrenia and a repressed bisexuality. A short life, which she decided to end by drowning in a river in 1941.

This film is not about this writer, but it does use her life and one of her most notable books, "Mrs. Dalloway", to tells a day in the life of three women from three different times: a day in the life of Virginia Woolf in 1923, a day in the life of a married woman in 1951 and a day in the life of a woman preparing a party in honor of a friend, about to die of AIDS, in 2001. One is the writer of the novel, another is a reader who will read it, and the other is a woman who, due to her attitudes, will embody the main character of the book.

It is a very profound, psychological, often dark film, that addresses fear and trauma, weaknesses, depressions and repressed homosexuality. The protagonists, for different reasons and in their own way, are depressed women, who suffer in silence while the world goes around them and try to play their social role and correspond to what everyone expects of them. However, there is always a moment of break, where the urge to throw the towel on the floor is irresistible. In spite of everything, the film is a little lukewarm, slow and almost half-enveloping. Another problem is the inability, on the part of the audience, to like the characters. I, at least, did not feel emotionally involved in the film.

The cast is headed by three grand actresses: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman and Julianne Moore. The three fulfil their audience perfectly, with well-succeeded interpretations. However, as I said, they are distant performances, which put a wall between the audience and the film. It is nothing that takes merit from the actresses, but it does not help the film to become pleasant, and it is a film that I would hardly see again, if I had a choice.

Technically, it is a very well-made film, but it has discrete production values. It has a clear and well-built cinematography, good sets and costumes, which help us to see and distinguish the different times and contexts. I especially liked the period automobiles that were used, and the set of Virginia Woolf's house, full of decorative details and lovingly elaborated. And I cannot fail to highlight the wonderful soundtrack, particularly the suite "The Hours", composed by Philip Glass.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Steve

Apr 7, 2006

Typical overhyped Hollywood crap. "Let's stare at screwed up people for two hours while they talk about how screwed up they are" Oh, and they're better be gay people involved or someone might be offended. When will Hollywood get over themselves.

0 of 5 users found this helpful

SEE ALL 32 REVIEWS

28	#28 Best Movie of 2002
33	#33 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
56	#56 Most Shared Movie of 2002