The Hours (2002)

Last updated:
August 31, 2025

The Hours (2002), directed by Stephen Daldry, is a deeply layered drama that interweaves three women’s stories across different time periods, all linked by Virginia Woolf’s novel Mrs. Dalloway. With a powerhouse cast led by Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, and Meryl Streep, the film explores themes of depression, identity, and the search for meaning in the face of despair.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

Virginia Woolf in 1923 Richmond

The film begins with Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman), struggling with mental illness while attempting to write Mrs. Dalloway. Living outside London with her husband Leonard (Stephen Dillane), Virginia battles severe depression and auditory hallucinations. Her attempt to balance her literary genius with her fragile state of mind sets the tone for the story’s exploration of creativity and suffering.

Laura Brown in 1950s Los Angeles

Laura Brown (Julianne Moore), a pregnant housewife in suburban California, feels suffocated by domestic expectations. As she bakes a birthday cake for her husband Dan (John C. Reilly), she secretly contemplates escaping her life. She reads Mrs. Dalloway as a means of coping, and her storyline reveals the depth of her despair despite outward appearances of a “perfect” life.

Clarissa Vaughan in 2001 New York City

Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) is a modern-day version of Mrs. Dalloway, preparing a party to celebrate her dear friend Richard (Ed Harris), a poet dying of AIDS. She juggles the demands of life, friendship, and love, echoing the struggles of Virginia’s fictional character. Her story centers on her love for Richard, her partner Sally (Allison Janney), and the weight of caring for someone slipping away.

The Connection Between the Women

As the film alternates between these three storylines, the connections grow stronger. Virginia’s novel reflects Laura’s quiet desperation, while Richard’s situation in 2001 ties back to Laura, who is revealed to be his mother. The film illustrates how literature and personal choices ripple through time, linking women across decades.

Movie Ending

The ending is heartbreaking, layered, and ties the narratives together. Richard, unable to cope with his illness, throws himself out of a window in front of Clarissa, saying he cannot face the party she is throwing. His death devastates her, forcing her to reevaluate her life choices. Shortly after, Laura reappears as an elderly woman (played by Clarissa’s guest, later revealed to be her), explaining to Clarissa why she left her family decades ago. Laura admits that she couldn’t endure the suffocating role of wife and mother, and while her survival allowed her son Richard to grow up, it also left deep scars that led him into despair.

Meanwhile, Virginia Woolf’s storyline concludes with her tragic suicide in 1941, walking into a river with her pockets filled with stones. Her death serves as both a chilling end and a symbolic beginning for the chain of lives her words touched.

The final montage reflects the choices of all three women: Virginia chooses death, Laura chooses escape, and Clarissa chooses to continue living despite her grief. The film ends quietly but powerfully, with Clarissa reflecting on the beauty and fragility of life.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, The Hours does not feature any post-credits scenes. Its somber and reflective ending is meant to linger, without additional epilogues or teasers.

Type of Movie

This film is a psychological drama with elements of literary adaptation. It is contemplative, emotionally intense, and focused on themes of identity, depression, and interconnected lives.

Cast

Nicole Kidman as Virginia Woolf
Julianne Moore as Laura Brown
Meryl Streep as Clarissa Vaughan
Ed Harris as Richard Brown
John C. Reilly as Dan Brown
Allison Janney as Sally Lester
Toni Collette as Kitty
Stephen Dillane as Leonard Woolf

Film Music and Composer

The hauntingly beautiful score was composed by Philip Glass, whose minimalist piano and string arrangements perfectly underscore the emotional weight of the film. The music is integral to its atmosphere, often serving as an emotional bridge between the different timelines.

Filming Locations

The movie was filmed in multiple locations:

London and Richmond, UK: used for Virginia Woolf’s scenes, accurately reflecting 1920s England.
Los Angeles, USA: for Laura Brown’s suburban 1950s storyline.
New York City: Clarissa Vaughan’s modern storyline was shot on location, adding authenticity to the urban setting.

These locations enhance the film’s contrast between different eras and lifestyles while highlighting universal struggles across time.

Awards and Nominations

Academy Awards (2003): Won Best Actress (Nicole Kidman). Nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Supporting Actor (Ed Harris), Best Supporting Actress (Julianne Moore), Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Film Editing, Best Costume Design, Best Original Score.
Golden Globes: Won Best Motion Picture – Drama and Best Actress (Nicole Kidman).
BAFTA Awards: Kidman won Best Actress; the film also received multiple nominations.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Nicole Kidman wore a prosthetic nose to transform into Virginia Woolf, which became a subject of media attention.
Kidman prepared extensively by reading Woolf’s letters and diaries.
Julianne Moore cited her role as one of the most emotionally taxing of her career.
The film’s three leading actresses never share a scene together, yet their performances interlock seamlessly.

Inspirations and References

The film is based on Michael Cunningham’s 1998 novel The Hours, which itself was inspired by Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway. It pays homage to Woolf’s stream-of-consciousness style and themes of existential struggle.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

There were no major alternate endings revealed, but some deleted scenes fleshed out Laura’s domestic life and Clarissa’s party preparations. These were cut for pacing but exist in extended editions.

Book Adaptations and Differences

Compared to Cunningham’s novel, the film is relatively faithful, though it condenses certain storylines. Some of Woolf’s inner thoughts, richly detailed in the book, are shown visually or through narration in the film.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Virginia writing the first line of Mrs. Dalloway: “Mrs. Dalloway said she would buy the flowers herself.”
Laura lying on the bed in her hotel room, contemplating suicide.
Richard’s shocking fall from the window.
Virginia’s final walk into the river.

Iconic Quotes

Virginia Woolf: “You cannot find peace by avoiding life.”
Richard: “I don’t think two people could have been happier than we’ve been.”
Laura: “It would be wonderful to say you regretted it. It would be easy. But what does it mean to regret when you have no choice?”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The recurring motif of flowers connects all three women, symbolizing life and transience.
Each timeline begins with a woman waking up, reinforcing the idea of daily rebirth and struggle.
The book Mrs. Dalloway appears physically in the 1950s and metaphorically in the 2001 storyline.

Trivia

Nicole Kidman’s Oscar-winning role lasts less than 30 minutes on screen.
Julianne Moore shot many of her emotional scenes while pregnant in real life.
Philip Glass’s score was so impactful that it has been reused in documentaries and trailers.
Meryl Streep read Mrs. Dalloway in preparation, saying she found Clarissa “both irritating and deeply moving.”

Why Watch?

The Hours is for viewers who appreciate emotionally rich, thought-provoking cinema. It is not a light watch, but its depth, performances, and themes of resilience, despair, and human connection make it unforgettable.

Director’s Other Movies

Billy Elliot (2000)
The Reader (2008)
Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (2011)

The Hours (2002)