Poster for The Hours

The Hours

2002, Drama, 1h 54m

195 Reviews 50,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

The movie may be a downer, but it packs an emotional wallop. Some fine acting on display here. Read critic reviews

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Meh, it passed the time.

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The Hours Photos

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Movie Info

"The Hours" is 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. Their stories intertwine, and finally come together in a surprising, transcendent moment of shared recognition.

Rating:

PG-13 (Mature Thematic Elements|Brief Language|Some Disturbing Images)
Genre:

Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Stephen Daldry
Producer:

Scott Rudin
Writer:

Michael Cunningham, David Hare
Release Date (Theaters):

Dec 27, 2002 wide
Release Date (Streaming):

Jun 24, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$41.6M
Runtime:

1h 54m
Distributor:

Paramount Pictures
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo

Cast & Crew

Meryl Streep
Clarissa Vaughan

Julianne Moore
Laura Brown

Nicole Kidman
Virginia Woolf

Ed Harris
Richard

Toni Collette
Kitty

Claire Danes
Julia Vaughan

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News & Interviews for The Hours

Know Your Critic: Manuel Betancourt, Critic and Culture Writer

Know Your Critic: Manuel Betancourt, Critic and Culture Writer

Critic Reviews for The Hours

All Critics (195) | Top Critics (53) | Fresh (155) | Rotten (40)

Full Review… Charlotte O'Sullivan Independent (UK)

Full Review… Nell Minow Common Sense Media

Full Review… Jonathan Rosenbaum Chicago Reader

Full Review… Derek Adams Time Out

Full Review… Jeannette Catsoulis Las Vegas Mercury

Full Review… Peter Rainer New York Magazine/Vulture

Full Review… Carla Monfort Espinof

Full Review… David Reddish Queerty

Full Review… David Walsh World Socialist Web Site

Full Review… Mike Massie Gone With The Twins

Full Review… PJ Nabarro Patrick Nabarro

Full Review… Daniel Mendelsohn The New York Review of Books

View All Critic Reviews (195)

Audience Reviews for The Hours

Jan 27, 2021

If I didn't spend ‘The Hours' distracted more by the privilege of these women rather than learning the backbone of their suffering, it would've gone deeper. I feel Stephen Daldry's adaptation accidentally emphasizes what it's trying to denounce. There's no shortage of prolonged shots of pensive expressions adorning morose faces though. That combined with Philip Glass's heavy-handed (though tantalizing) score backs me into a corner with a film assuming my empathy for these characters rather than truly earning it.

Marisol M Super Reviewer
Oct 17, 2013

Technically sound performances by the three leads are destroyed by a dullness to their tales. The Hours leaves you wanting to use these actresses more efficiently.

John B Super Reviewer
Jun 19, 2013

Great cinematography with even greater performances all around. The Hours is solid from beginning to end with a unique premise and a topic that is rarely absorbed. I really appreciated this film.

ZACHO D Super Reviewer
Jul 29, 2012

Great actings in a sentimental, but nice picture.

Lucas M Super Reviewer

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