Hey, everyone. "Moriarty" here with some Rumblings From The Lab.
Anytime a director scores a major hit, their next film comes under a more pronounced scrutiny. In this case, Stephen Daldry is following up the worldwide success of BILLY ELLIOTT, and it sounds like he’s crafted something smart and adult. I’m especially curious to see how Nicole Kidman, rapidly becoming one of my favorite actresses, tackles the role of Virginia Woolf.
As far as where today’s spy saw the film... well, I’ll let him tell you the story. I suspect a wee bit of obfuscation, but I’ll let you be the judge...
Hi everyone,
Just wandering through the dingy backstreets of Jakarta when I discovered a copy of The Hours, the Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore and Meryl Streep movie. It is rare that one finds a movie unreleased in the U.S., and you don't hear me complaining.
First off, let me say this isn't a conventional movie. The reviews will be polarizing. However, everyone will agree the performances are first rate. (and sensational enough for a triple Oscar nod)
The story deals with one day in the life of 3 women. Virginia Woolf (Kidman), Laura Brown (Moore) and Clarissa Vaughn (Streep). Woolf is writing Mrs. Dalloway and having thoughts of suicide. Brown can't stop reading Mrs. Dalloway, even as she tries to plan a birthday party for her husband. And Clarissa is throwing a party for her former lover dying of AIDS (played by Ed Harris)
Being an ensemble movie, the film has condensed its plot and revolves mainly around the thoughts of the three women. It is highly atmospheric, something due to the stately camera movements Daldry employs and the gorgeous music by Phillip Glass (I checked out at IMDB, and Nyman and Warbeck are listed but the titles clearly say Glass)
First, the plus points
The absolutely gorgeous music. And they'ved used it in practically 85% of the film.
The film works like poetry because the actors are given so much space. I have never seen a movie with such flawless character interaction. And the characters are also left alone alot, much like in American Beauty.
Meryl Streep's scenes with Ed Harris (who by the way will win this year’s supporting category) are powerful. He shares two scenes with her, one at the beggining and one at the end. They are both the most harrowing in the movie (see the time when he is about to jump off the windows)
The kisses. All the major women kiss at one point or another. See Meryl Streep and Tony Collette at the end. ( I don't know, was that Collette?) Wow.
Ok, Now the bad.
The kids suck. Especially Julianne Moore's. Why do all the kids look Hollywoodish? (even though they speak in British accents.)
Also, the beggining. They really need to pick up the pacing at the start. It's just images, and while that is good, the audience is left floundering.
Also, ADD SOME CONNECTIVITY. It takes about half way through for the movie to explain the connections between the interlocking stories.
I like the movie alot. It would be on my top ten list this year. But this isn't for everyone. And it probably won't sell. So good luck to Miramax and Paramount marketing this one.
Hmmmm... high praise, indeed. I’m curious to hear another opinion now, especially considering how odd the backstory on this spy report was.
"Moriarty" out.
