The world is waiting with baited breath for the much-anticipated premiere of Twilight director Rob Pattinson’s new film, The Hours. For months, fans have been speculating about the mystery project and whether or not it will live up to the hype. It seems that everyone’s favorite British actor has created something quite special. Let’s take a look at what you need to know about The Hours and whether or not it’s worth your time and money.
The Plot
The Hours centres around a photographer named Billie (played by Pattinson). We first meet him in the middle of what seems to be a rather ordinary day. He wakes up, takes his dog for a walk, feeds the cat, and arranges to have some work done by a professional. During the course of the day, he takes several photos that he believes could be potential campaign shots for a lingerie brand. He has them developed and is shown the proofs; however, the photos seem to be of a young woman named Olivia (played by Sienna Miller) whom he’s never met. He offers to help and drives her to the airport to catch a flight back to L.A., suggesting that they should keep in touch. After the flight takes off, he gets a call from the assistant of a famous rich man named Mr. Milton (played by Albert Finley) who needs some photos taken for a project in London. Unable to turn down a rich man’s request, he accepts the offer and heads to the big city. There, he meets Olivia again and they fall in love. After a whirlwind romance, they get married and start a family. Fifteen years later, Olivia — now a successful architect — gets a phone call from Mr. Milton’s assistant, inviting her to bid on a project in New York. Billie’s curiosity gets the better of him once more and he asks to be included in the hunt for a great project. After some convincing, Olivia agrees to let him come along and helps him pack his things. Little does Billie know that this is the last leg of their honeymoon and that he’ll be working on Mr. Milton’s project for the rest of his life.
The Technology
While on the surface The Hours may not seem like a particularly groundbreaking movie, it is in fact a real step forward in cinematic history. Not only does it boast one of the most stunning premiere scenes in recent memory, but it also brought a new innovative twist to the already fairly unique world of filmmaking. It all started with a simple question: How do I make the camera disappear? It’s been the driving force behind every scene in the film. It’s not simply a gimmick or a quick fix for creative reasons. In fact, it really is quite a powerful tool and the great thing is that you can use it to tell a complete creative story. One that isn’t reliant on traditional camera angles or clever edits. It’s a twist that has revolutionized the way we will see films in the future. The idea behind the camera disappearing is to give the actors and actresses the sense that they are in complete control of the camera. That it’s not simply a passive tool in the hands of a director. In other words, it is an immersive experience for the audience. One that feels like they are right there in the middle of the action. It is something that would have been impossible to imagine just a few years ago. However, with today’s technology, it is now something that is literally at our fingertips. We’re not talking about special effects or visual tricks here. We’re talking about a true cinematic revolution made possible by new cameras, new editing systems, and — most importantly — creative minds like Pattinson’s.
The Cast
If you’re fortunate enough to see The Hours in theaters, you will see an incredible ensemble cast. The team behind the camera certainly didn’t shy away from hiring some of the best known names in Hollywood. The result is an almost perfect circle of talent. With Pattinson at the center, surrounded by a brilliant supporting cast, it is safe to say that he has never been more talented or more fortunate to be working with such illustrious company. While you may know most of the people in the film from their work in other films, it is easy to see that this is a truly ensemble effort. Everyone is giving their absolute all and are committed to making this film the best it can be. With special appearances from Emma Thompson, Judi Dench, Sally Hawkins, Kate Winslet, and Naomi Watts, the list of A-listers is indeed impressive. It would not be a stretch to say that this is one of the most star-studded casts to ever hit Hollywood.
The Budget
How much did it cost to make The Hours? Director Pattinson would only confirm that it was a four-figure sum (between $20 and $25 million), but sources say that it cost between $30 and $35 million to make. The film premiered in London last month to largely positive reviews. While some have criticized the film for its high cost and limited appeal, most agree that it’s a movie worth watching. Especially since it marks the beginning of a new cinematic era. One that combines old-world charm with cutting-edge technology. It is safe to say that Rob Pattinson and the rest of the crew worked extremely hard to make this movie the best that it can be. With a four-figure sum, you won’t see very much wrong with it. Especially since it was a labor of love for the director. A love letter to the cinema and a testament to all that is good in the world.
Where Did The Idea Come From?
Was it the idea of a lonely heart to give cinema a new twist? Well, not exactly. The truth is that the idea for The Hours came from a long time ago when director Pattinson was involved in a serious car accident. While filming on the streets of London, his car was hit by a truck. As a result of the accident, he suffered from post-traumatic stress and found it difficult to sleep. The story goes that he would set his alarm clock early in the morning so that he could get some work done before the world came crashing down. In an effort to relax, he decided to create a film that would act as a kind of therapy for himself. After a couple of false starts, he was able to cast his beloved Sienna Miller and started to shoot. It wasn’t until later that he found out that her character’s name was Billie, a reference to his own nickname. After seeing the completed film, he found that it had helped him to relax and sleep better than ever before. It also helped that Ms. Miller was able to relate to the character of Billie, as she had once suffered from anxiety herself. Since then, he has acted as if his mission was to change cinema forever. Bringing a new innovative twist to an age-old form. It really is a labor of love and one that has paid off handsomely.