The Hours. Review on The Hours

Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Ed Harris, and Nicole Kidman deliver individually and collectively very fine performances in ''The Hour''. Given the fact that they are all very accomplished in their own rights, and must share the same stage allows for some truly great theater. ''The Hours'' renders sad commentary on life, longing and fulfillment. How we as mere mortals address these necessary goals in life is at the heart of this movie. I found the movie to be well written and masterfully directed.

However, the premise of this movies comments sadly on how we manage and control our individual lives. Melancholy permeates the movie, yet it still allows for the inevitable rise above circumstances that must transpire in order for life to continue. The individuals in this film inevitably conquer their demons or they allow themselves to be controlled by the demons within. In this movie human frailty is revealed, dissected, and managed. The director blends time space and the lives of three women who at some point touch each other in ways never imagined. The focus on sadness, however, allows one to see joy in delicate places. Truly this cast of characters has delivered a masterpiece.