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

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 206 Ratings

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8.6

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8.6	User Score Universal acclaim based on 206 Ratings

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The Hours

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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

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Metascore

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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

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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

IvanVecvil

Mar 10, 2013

Amazing movie who was robbed in the Oscars, instead Chicago, it should have won Best Picture. Perfect direction and performances of every each of the actor, mainly Kidman and Moore.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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

beingryanjude

Aug 27, 2014

The Hours leaves you in awe. In awe of the brilliant performances, the impeccable writing and, certainly, the astounding direction. Literal excellence. Here's what perfection looks like. Bravo!

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

NandoP.

Mar 4, 2003

A beautiful piece of art that puts you on the first row of the intense and uninterrupted drama of life of Virginia Woolf... and her legacy over the time. Even if you don't like the story of happiness conquered by intimate suffering and fatal choices in life, it's almost A beautiful piece of art that puts you on the first row of the intense and uninterrupted drama of life of Virginia Woolf... and her legacy over the time. Even if you don't like the story of happiness conquered by intimate suffering and fatal choices in life, it's almost impossible, I mean if you really love film, to not be touched by the sensitive and marvellous work of Nicole Kidman, Meryl Streep and Juliane Moore. Philip Glass and the curious screenplay are another two strong virtues of this masterpiece.… Expand

0 of 0 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

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

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28	#28 Best Movie of 2002
34	#34 Most Discussed Movie of 2002
56	#56 Most Shared Movie of 2002