The Hours Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Three women in different eras struggle to make a cake, read a book, and throw a party, all while contemplating the existential dread of floral arrangements.

🍿 The Hours: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Virginia Woolf in 1923 England

Virginia Woolf struggles with mental illness while residing in the English countryside with her husband, Leonard. She begins writing ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ and is visited by her sister, Vanessa, and her children. These visits, particularly an incident involving a dead bird, deeply affect her fragile emotional state. Virginia contemplates escaping to London, defying her doctor’s orders and her husband’s concerns.

Laura Brown in 1951 Los Angeles

Laura Brown, a pregnant housewife, feels trapped in her domestic life, finding solace only in reading ‘Mrs. Dalloway.’ She attempts to bake a cake for her husband’s birthday but is overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy. A visit from a neighbor leads to a brief, unexpected kiss, further fueling her discontent. She contemplates suicide in a hotel room, but ultimately decides to leave her family after the birth of her second child.

Clarissa Vaughan in 2001 New York City

Clarissa Vaughan, a modern-day New Yorker nicknamed ‘Mrs. Dalloway’ by her former lover, Richard, is planning a party to celebrate his poetry award. Richard, now dying of AIDS, expresses his desire to escape the celebration. Clarissa grapples with her past relationship with Richard and her present relationship with her female partner, Sally. The day unfolds with a sense of impending crisis and unresolved emotions.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep): A modern-day woman, nicknamed “Mrs. Dalloway,” grapples with her past love for a dying friend while planning a party for him.
• Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman): A struggling writer battles mental illness while writing her novel, Mrs. Dalloway, and contemplates her life’s purpose.
• Laura Brown (Julianne Moore): A 1950s housewife is deeply affected by Mrs. Dalloway and struggles with her stifling domestic life and hidden desires.
• Leonard Woolf (Stephen Dillane): Virginia Woolf’s devoted husband supports her writing while struggling with her mental health and desire for independence.
• Richard Brown (Ed Harris): Clarissa’s dying friend and former lover, a poet grappling with AIDS, forces her to confront her past and the meaning of life.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Clarissa Vaughn: “I remember one morning getting up at dawn, there was such a sense of possibility. You know, that feeling? And I remember thinking to myself: So, this is the beginning of happiness. This is where it starts. And of course there will always be more. It never occurred to me it wasn’t the beginning. It *was* happiness. It was the moment. Right then.” – Clarissa reflects on a past moment, realizing that what she thought was the beginning of happiness was actually happiness itself.
• Virginia Woolf: “Someone has to die in order that the rest of us should value life more.” – Virginia explains her reasoning for including death in her novel, suggesting it’s necessary for others to appreciate life.
• Laura Brown: “It was death. I chose life.” – Laura explains her decision to leave her family, framing it as a choice to live authentically rather than succumb to despair.
• Richard Brown: “I don’t think two people could have been happier than we have been.” – Richard expresses his gratitude to Clarissa, acknowledging the happiness they shared despite his impending death.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $25,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $41,675,994
• Worldwide Gross: $108,846,217

💥 The Hours Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by The Hours. It’s one of those movies that stays with you long after the credits roll. The way the stories connect across time is so seamless and emotionally impactful. I especially loved Kidman’s portrayal of Virginia Woolf. The scene where she’s struggling to find the right words, you can feel her torment and passion. It’s a film I’ll definitely watch again and again.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of literary adaptations”
  • “Viewers interested in stories about women’s issues and mental health”
  • “Those who appreciate character-driven dramas”
  • “Admirers of the actors Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Julianne Moore”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Suicide”
  • “Depression”
  • “Lesbian themes”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Brief depiction of drug use”

Professional Reviews

• The New York Times: “A deeply moving and intellectually stimulating film. The performances are stellar. A must-see for those who appreciate character-driven stories.
• Rolling Stone: “The Hours is a beautifully crafted film. It evokes complex emotions and presents a poignant exploration of life’s choices and their consequences. Kidman’s transformative performance is a standout.
• Los Angeles Times: “A triumph of storytelling. The Hours is a deeply resonant experience. The interwoven narratives create a powerful emotional tapestry. The performances are haunting and memorable.

Audience Reactions

The interwoven stories resonated deeply with my own feelings about life’s complexities.: Viewers praised the stunning performances and the film’s ability to evoke raw emotions.

Nicole Kidman’s portrayal of Virginia Woolf was absolutely transformative and unforgettable.: Many viewers highlighted the film’s sensitive and thought-provoking exploration of depression and mental health.

Overall Consensus: The Hours is a critically acclaimed drama. Praised for its powerful performances, intricate storytelling, and exploration of complex emotional themes.

Awards

1. Academy Award (Best Actress)- 2003
2. Golden Globe (Best Motion Picture – Drama)- 2003
3. Golden Globe (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama)- 2003

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Nicole Kidman wore a prosthetic nose to more closely resemble Virginia Woolf, a decision that sparked much discussion and contributed to her winning the Academy Award for Best Actress.”
• “The film is based on Michael Cunningham’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, which itself is a reimagining of Virginia Woolf’s ‘Mrs. Dalloway.'”
• “Director Stephen Daldry is known for his use of emotionally driven narratives and strong female characters, evident in both ‘The Hours’ and his earlier film ‘Billy Elliot.'”
• “Philip Glass’s score is minimalistic and repetitive to reflect the relentless nature of time and the cyclical struggles of the characters.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Hours?

The Hours is available to stream on Paramount+ and can be rented or purchased on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for television airings.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Hours, you might like these similar films:

• Mrs. Dalloway (1997): Direct adaptation of Virginia Woolf’s novel that explores similar themes of regret, memory, and the passage of time in a woman’s life.
• Revolutionary Road (2008): Explores the stifling nature of suburban life and the desperate measures people take to escape it, much like Laura Brown’s storyline.
• Sophie’s Choice (1982): Deals with themes of trauma, loss, and the difficult choices people make in the face of overwhelming circumstances.
• Manchester by the Sea (2016): A modern film that deeply explores grief, depression, and the struggle to find meaning after tragedy, resonating with the overall tone of ‘The Hours’.

🛒 The Hours Related Products

• Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf: The classic novel that inspired the film. A poignant exploration of a day in the life of a woman in post-World War I England.
• The Hours: The Criterion Collection: Blu-ray edition features new interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and insights from the cast and crew.
• The Hours (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Features the haunting score by Philip Glass. A perfect complement to the film’s mood and themes.
• The Hours: A Novel by Michael Cunningham: The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel that inspired the movie, offering a richer, more detailed exploration of the characters and their interconnected stories.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Hours features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “The Poet Acts” – performed by Philip Glass
• “Morning Passages” – performed by Philip Glass
• “Tango” – performed by Philip Glass

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Nicole Kidman winning Best Actress | 75th Oscars (2003)

Check out this moving moment when Nicole Kidman won the Best Actress Oscar for her powerful performance in ‘The Hours’. It’s a testament to her talent and the film’s impact.

Oscar Winner Nicole Kidman | Best Actress for ‘The Hours’

Watch the iconic moment when Nicole Kidman takes home the Oscar for Best Actress for her incredible performance in ‘The Hours’. It’s a celebration of her talent and the recognition the film received.

✨ Rate