Have you ever noticed that a majority of movies almost never have strong female characters? A few tend to, but not all that often.In 1923 England, ailing journalist Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) is starting to write her novel Mrs. Dalloway under the care of doctors and family. In 1951 Los Angeles, Laura Brown (Julianne Moore) is pregnant housewife who is planning her husband's birthday, but is preoccupied with reading Woolf's novel. In 2001 New York, Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) is a lesbian publisher planning an award party for her friend Richard Brown (Ed Harris), an author dying of AIDS. Taking place over one day, all three stories are interconnected with Mrs. Dalloway, as one is writing it, one is reading it, and one is living it.
Is it me or is it ironic that the two best performances came from actors who have yet to win an Oscar? I mean, Kidman was good but she was easily overlapped by Moore and Harris. Streep also delivered a very strong performance (as she usually does). The Philip Glass score manages to deliver an emotional punch. Stephen Daldry definitely made an interesting movie, though I did find some parts either too long or too short.
My Rating: ****
It is a shame that female characters have not been as strong in recent years. I think that is because of the lack of YOUNG female talent in Hollywood. They are out there, just not as abundant.
ReplyDeletei definitely agree Moore and Harris should DEFINITELY have oscars by now. i've actually never seen this movie becase i thoughtt would be far too depressing for me, but it does look good.
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