The Hours

[Lorelei]

Just saw this movie on Friday and was blown away. Anybody else?

[matrixman]

I saw the theatrical release. I only saw it that one time, so I've forgotten a lot of details, but I liked the three principals (Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman & Julianne Moore), and the premise was intriguing. I think the story could inspire discussion on AIDS, feminism and the, um, curious synchronistic junction of different lives in different times.

What was interesting about seeing this film at the theatre was that there was a group of women in the row behind me who were openly expressing their irritation with the film. Interesting, because this movie is, um, supposed to be a "chick flick"? (I don't care too deeply about that, I only care if it's a good movie.) I think the women were disapproving of the kissing scenes. Their vocal comments became somewhat distracting, but it was no huge deal.

For what it's worth, I preferred Julianne Moore in Far From Heaven (another film released that same year). And Far From Heaven was a better movie as well, in my opinion. But that's for another thread.

[Lorelei]

I think those who are familiar with the work "Mrs Dalloway" as well as Virginia Woolf's life would appreciate the movie most. There are many subtle parallels between the book and the movie. My bet is that the group of women who were chatting throughout the flick didn't know much about Virginia Woolf or her (I believe) last work.

[Fist and Faith]

What's wrong with the kissing scenes?

Well, I want to see the movie, only because I love Virginia Woolf by the Indigo Girls. Hey, any reason will do, eh?

[matrixman]

What's wrong with the kissing scenes?

Nothing. But it might upset some people's value systems, because it's kissing between women.

I've never read Virginia Woolf (in fact, there are so many authors I have not read as compared to my fellow Watchers that it's not even funny). I just try to appreciate a movie as a movie, but yes, knowing an adaptation's original source material beforehand obviously gives you a privileged insight into what's going on.

[Fist and Faith]

Nothing. But it might upset some people's value systems, because it's kissing between women.

Ah! Now I really want to see it! Was Woolf gay? I had no idea.

[duchess of malfi]

It is thought that she probably was...

www.glbtq.com/literature/woolf_v.html

[dANdeLION]

What's wrong with the kissing scenes?

I haven't seen the movie yet, but the only problem I'd have with them is that I'm not the one kissing Nicole.

[Lorelei]

I found the exploration of manic depression the most intriguing part of the movie. For the past year and a half I have been dating a man who suffers from that illness. Sadly we are no longer able to continue that aspect of our relationship because of his illness. In the movie, Nicole Kidman has some lines and scenes that help me understand what is going on in his head.

[duchess of malfi]

The author definately suffered from that. She did not have an easy life in many ways, having been sexually abused as a child by a relative, among other problems.

Yet another wonderful female author from the last century who ended up taking her own life.

[dANdeLION]

Woah; is suicide common amongst people who were molested by relatives as a kid?

[duchess of malfi]

Not as far as I know, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if a tendency to depression would be.

I was thinking more in terms of prominant female authors from the twentieth century committing suicide...Sylvia Plath was another who took her own life, after suffering from depression.

[taraswizard]

Good, intrguing movie. Interestingly, I have chatted with folks who were familiar with Cunningham's book and thought the movie was faithful adaptation. Woolf would probably be classified as bisexual if one was use our current way of looking at this topic, since she quite apparently loved Leonard Woolf very deeply. She was very close to Vita Sackville-West, so draw what conclusion you might from that.