The Hours

enderwigginout · #1 07-13-2003, 10:35 PM

OMG, did you guys see this movie?

I saw it last night for the first time, and I must say that was one of the best films I've ever seen. My TP was bored out of his mind and didn't "get it" at all, so I was curious what other women thought about it. I have dealt with pretty severe depression most of my life (especially when my anorexia was getting pretty bad a couple of years ago...and the depression lingers even up to the present although its more of a deep apathy now than any suicidal impulses). I also harbor aspirations toward being a writer. I don't know if it was the sumation of those experiences that made it so moving for me or if it nailed some aspect of being a woman that he couldn't relate too...but, ****...wow...

Comments on the movie?

konaforever · #2 07-14-2003, 03:03 AM

You made your tp sit through a 3 hour chick flick? Wow. You owe him!

Philia2 · #3 07-14-2003, 03:44 AM

I was able to see it in English (all films are normally translated in French!) and I really liked that movie as well.
It's true that it makes you think for hours after....
After the movie, we were supposed to go out dancing but hmmm let's say that my mind was somewhere else so it only came to a short drink in a bar.........

#4 07-14-2003, 04:45 AM

teletummy · #5 07-14-2003, 11:03 AM

I love this movie. Makes one wonder if we have to become nuts to become a writer, so self-absorbed. But that Aids guy was really sad, going off like that. Meryl Streep, as usual, stirling (sterling?) performance. The other woman, forgot her name, is also good as the wife who tried to commit suicide. Would love to say more but I'm really very sore reaching out and typing. [img]/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Debbye218 · #6 07-14-2003, 06:27 PM

i am an admirer of the 3 main actresses BUT I really thought this movie was depressing, a real downer. You owe your TP big time!

enderwigginout · #7 07-14-2003, 07:57 PM

Ummm...why is everyone assuming I made him watch it? [img]/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] He wanted to see it and was free to get up at any time and go play his little computer games. Same as when he watches the news (which I find completely depressing and not very informative at all) I go into the other room to read my books.

But, about the movie: I disagree, teletummy. I don't think its a question of being self-absorbed. When you're depressed, in many ways, you are completely the opposite of self-absorbed. I really can't explain it if you haven't been in that position...but I understand how others would say that being suicidal and having that "threat" hanging around you is self-absorbed. Most times you think it would be better for everyone involved if you just put a gun to your head. You would be spared actually finishing out your life, and everyone else would be rid of you once and for all...especially when you feel like your worthless and merely function to bring everyone down. You bring yourself down because you know you are bringing everyone else down and making them worry. And you don't want them to worry. You're searching, always searching...and sometimes the search seems futile at best.

Anyway, I can totally relate to Ed Harris' character as well. It's something I struggle with (as well as all writers I suspect). You have the "perfect" piece of writing in your head and upon execution it comes up painfully short of the mark. If that's your life's work, and you look at your body of work, and its so horribly lacking that you can't bear it, and you aren't healthy enough to begin the process anew...I can totally see doing something like that. Because you have failed. And really what's the point...of living on a few more measley years in poor health if you can't complete something worthwhile. For Viginia, what's the point of staying out in the country to extend a life you aren't happy leading if you can't work. Because your work is your life. (As a writer) if you can't write, then you are trapped in a prison of iron and steel and nothing will free you. You are at best a prisoner and at worst an invalid. You live a half-life and may as well take the other half with your own hands.

Bah, it all sounds melodramtic...but what one to do when one can not do the thing they love. And what is one who has failed miserably at the thing they love. And what is one who looks back on his life and realizes too late he or she has no time left to do the things they wished for in their youth. I think it is a cursed existence.

The trouble with Laura Brown was that she had no such aspirations. She didn't want to die, but she didn't want her life. So she left and went to look for a new one. I don't think she ever found it. Which is sad. I think that's worse. At least I know what I want. I don't know how worthwhile it is, but at least I know THAT is what I want to do. She didn't even know. She outlived the children she abandoned and you knew she, like her son, realized she had failed in life. But she never even got as far as her son...she never even found her dream...

konaforever · #8 07-14-2003, 11:30 PM

Maybe because he knew Nicole Kidman would be in it. What he didn't know is that although she is in it, she's made to appear quite homely! Give me Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge any day.:-p

[ QUOTE ]
enderwigginout said:
Ummm...why is everyone assuming I made him watch it? [img]/forum/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] He wanted to see it and was free to get up at any time and go play his little computer games. Same as when he watches the news (which I find completely depressing and not very informative at all) I go into the other room to read my books.

[/ QUOTE ]

teletummy · #9 07-15-2003, 07:06 AM

No, ender, from someone who hasn't experienced it, I think it ain't better to put the gun to the head. Futility is transient. I do agree with paragraph 4 tho. I felt so sad for Laura Brown.

teletummy · #10 07-15-2003, 07:06 AM

No, ender, from someone who hasn't experienced it, I think it ain't better to put the gun to the head. Futility is transient. I do agree with paragraph 4 tho. I felt so sad for Laura Brown.