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I started this blog as I entered my 40th year, and now firmly in my 40s, I continue to learn so much about life. I'm learning that life rarely goes according to plan and that there's something new to learn every single day, be it a subtle nudge or a smack in the face.... This is my blog about muddling through my 40s-working hard, writing a book, being an ammateur photographer, trying to exercise and eat well, endeavouring to be the world's best aunt, as well as having fun and laughing out loud every single day.

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

H Dear Rocky - The Hours



Dear Rocky,

I have a friend who points me in the direction of amazing literature.  He introduced me to Mrs Dalloway which I was to read first, followed by The Hours.  What an awesome way to do it.

Then came the movie.

Firstly, I think the author did a wonderful job linking the three female characters and telling the story of depression across generations, not only from the perspective of the person with depression, but also their loved ones.  The suffering is not isolated the person with the disorder.

The most striking relationship for me in The Hours is that between Ed Harris' character, Richard and his mother (Julianne Moore).

In adulthood, there seemed to be little relationship, but as a child, Richard was exposed to his mother's depression and suicidal ideation.  He observed her and absorbed her emptiness, especially in that harrowing scene where she left him with a babysitter, to go and end her life in a hotel room.  That little boy played that scene impeccably - acting as though he would never see his mother again.  How did he know...?

Luckily, or unluckily, I don't know, she did not end her life.  Instead she came and picked him up and went home and had birthday cake.

Fast forward to Richard as an adult, rich with friends and a successful career, dying of AIDS.

Why did he end his life?  Because there was no future for him?  Because he wanted some control in an uncontrollable situation?  Or because he was depressed?  Did he inherit that from his mother?  Did the environment he grew up in predispose him to depression?  Or was he depressed because he was terminally ill?

There is never only one answer to the question "what causes depression?"

I love this movie for everything it encapsulates.  I give it a 9/10.

You?

Jodie

Read Rocky's review here!

8 comments:

  1. hey, i just read dear jodie!
    my mom suffers from depression and i think my son might have touches of it, but it could just be him struggling through being a teenager. i'm keeping an eye on him. the tough thing is trying to figure out why when there really is no definite why. not sure i want to see the movie... i like to see up beat movies to get away from the hard parts of life for a little while... but thanks for the review! and i love ed harris.

    nice to meet you!

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    1. Hi Tara, I agree with you - I love upbeat movies too. Thanks for dropping by! I'll be sure to check out your blog too.
      Jodie

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  2. Great post, Jodie! I love it!

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  3. I don't know where to categorize this...on the ever growing list of movies to see or books to read!

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  4. I haven't seen this movie. But it looks like one I could sit down with wifey and watch on a Saturday night.

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    Replies
    1. It's certainly a conversation starter Stephen! Thanks for your comment. Looking forward to checking out your blog too.
      Jodie

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