THE HOURS

Technical Analysis

M. De Marchi, V. Gheno, M. Pilieci, E. Vedovato, M. Zinovieva

DIRECTION AND SCRIPT

  • The movie was based on the novel of the same name written by Michael Cunningham, thought to be impossible to transpose in film
  • The script was done by David Hare that had to change several passages
  • In the film was given more importance to the parallelisms between what happens to the protagonists to explain their interior thoughts
  • The direction was given to Stephen Daldry, famous for his theatrical works
  • Great importance was given to the cutting from one scene to the other
  • The structure of the film reminds in some way the style of Virginia Woolf and is highly symmetric

CUSTOMES

  • Ann Roth: customes designer of The Hours
  • She’ve had the idea for Nicole Kidman’s prosthetic nose

 

  • Roth operates more like a subliminal image-maker, she offers improvements for the story and the actors
  • Hidden details inside the film
  • 2003: Roth received a nomination for the Oscar as Best Costume Design

MUSIC

The original score was composed by Philip Glass, famous for his artistic collaboration:

  • in “The Truman Show”
  •  with Mick Jagger, Leonard Cohen and David Bowie

The album won the BAFTA Award for Best Film Music

  • Point of conjunction between scenes and ages, just very little differences
  • Music as Stream of consciousness, highlighting the moments of self revelation or reflection on the protagonist's lives
  • Music/Silence very important to show the importance of the particular scene, as to invite the public to reflect on it, to find some deeper meaning
  • Piano and Violin family instruments (Cello, Viola, Violin...)

TRIVIA

  • "The Hours" was the original working title of Virginia Woolf's "Mrs. Dalloway"
  • Nicole Kidman loved wearing the prosthetic nose
  • Nicole Kidman learned to write with her right hand (Virginia Woolf was right-handed)
  • She also read all of Virginia Woolf's personal letters
  • Come Oscar nomination time, the film caused problems for makers Paramount and Miramax: best supporting actress or best actress?
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