It seems that about half of the movies that critics love, I'm not all that crazy about. Sure, some of them I like, but other times, I'm left wondering what the hell the big deal is. That's the feeling I got watching "The Hours." Critics have been raving about it, and there has been talk of Oscar nominations, but aside from nominations for acting, I don't see why this movie has been getting all the Oscar talk. The movie isn't an abomination, but it's like watching paint dry. BORING! The acting is impressive, but the movie bored me.
Yes, to be fair, this movie had problems going in because it's obviously a chick flick, but not all chick flicks suck. Sure, most of the romantic comedies suck, but that's because all of them follow the same tired, predictable, formulaic storyline. Some are refreshingly different, but for the most part, they're all like "Two Weeks Notice," or worse, "Maid in Manhattan." But look at "Terms of Endearment" and "Steel Magnolias." Both are chick flicks to the extreme, but they're great movies. Walking in to see "The Hours," I was thinking that maybe I'll end up liking it the same way that I like those movies. But no.
At least the acting is good. Actually, it's better than good, it's excellent. There are three female leads in this movie, three of the best in the business. The three stars are Nicole Kidman (who's almost completely unrecognizable in this movie because of a prosthetic nose... hopefully after this movie, she'll be taken more seriously as an actress), Julianne Moore (an amazing actress who was excellent in "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia"), and Meryl Streep (a great actress who was nominated for the Academy Award 12 times so far, and she's won it twice... she was recently in "Adaptation" as "Susan Orlean"). These three actresses are simply phenomenal, and they all deserve Oscar nominations for Best Actress. But that's it, 'cause the movie sucks. Okay, fine, it doesn't suck, but it's certainly not a movie I got into.
The rest of the cast is really good, too. They include Toni Collette (she was the mom in "The Sixth Sense"... she was also in "Shaft" and "Changing Lanes"), Claire Danes (she was the star of the short-lived TV series, "My So-Called Life"... she looked really hot in the lame movie, "The Mod Squad"), Jeff Daniels (he's been in some great movies, such as "Terms of Endearment," "2 Days in the Valley," "Pleasantville," and of course, "Dumb & Dumber"), Allison Janney (she plays "C.J." in the TV show, "The West Wing"... she was also in "10 Things I Hate About You" and "American Beauty"), John C. Reilly (likable character actor who was in "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia"), and the standout, Ed Harris (he's been in a lotta really good movies, like "The Abyss," "The Rock," "Glengarry Glen Ross," "Apollo 13," and "The Truman Show"). Ed Harris should probably also get an Oscar nomination, for Best Supporting Actor.
"The Hours" was based on a novel by Michael Cunningham. The screenplay was written by David Hare (I'm unfamiliar with his previous work, but I can tell you that in finding out what he's written before, they all seem like stuffy films that would bore me to tears). Finally, it was directed by Stephen Daldry (this is only his second feature film, his first being "Billy Elliot"). I dunno, maybe they DID make a great movie, but it's not my thing, ya know? I didn't like it.
I wish I could say I liked "The Hours," but I can't. I was bored. Sorry.
Scale of 1-10: 4