an excellent film
A single day is covered in three different time periods: in 1923, real-life author Virginia Woolf (Nicole Kidman) battles severe depression while working on her novel, "Mrs. Dalloway" in Richmond, England; in 1951, Laura Brown (Juliane Moore) is a pregnant housekeeper currently raising a young son in a Los Angeles suburb. Despite having what others would consider to be an ideal life, she is suicidal; in 2001, Clarissa Vaughan (Meryl Streep) is a New York book editor who acts as a co-dependent caretaker to her troubled long-time friend Richard (Ed Harris) who is depressed and living with AIDS.
This film is likely one of the best ever about the subject of mental illness. The various dramas are powerful and believable. The sensitive topic is handled with compassion and understanding in ways that are accurate, in-depth, and courageous while telling three riveting stories.
In addition to the great work of the four actors mentioned, there are other performances in smaller roles that also stand out. One is Toni Collette as Laura's next door neighbour, Kitty. In a short period, she exposes a lot of her life with many subtleties. Her discussions of her husband give us a lot of information about him even though he never appears in the film. He doesn't need to as the descriptions of him (including brief subtexts) are so rich. The writing deserves as much credit as the acting in this scene.
There is also Louis (Jeff Daniels) who is Richard's ex-lover. Louis' conversation with Clarissa about Richard (and themselves) is another powerful scene. Unlike the conversation mentioned in the above paragraph, the main subject of the conversation (Richard) does appear in the film and quite prominently. This contrast and variety add to the film's strength.
There's also Stephen Dillane as Virginia's husband, Leonard. He is in various scenes but his strongest is one where he and Virginia are having an argument at a train station. This one-on-one (like the other two previously mentioned) is very moving.
Kidman's performance can be praised for various reasons including being perfectly steady while portraying someone who is unsteady. It's easy to sympathize with Virginia as she expresses her pessimism on good days when she has no idea if/when the mental illness will return and if so, how bad it will be. There is also a powerful scene when Virginia is interacting with a young niece (Sophie Wyburd) while talking about a dead bird they've found.
There are various subtleties that add greatly to the story with many hints. One is the description of Laura as a teenager recalled by her husband, Dan (John C. Reilly) while their young son (Jack Rovello) listens. This revelation seems to fit Laura as to her future development.
Further praise for acting can go to Moore for her final monologue: a scene which is as rich in acting as it is in writing. The information revealed here is quite compelling.
Each story ends with some similarities as well as startling differences. Overall, the film has great compassion for those affected by mental illness and their loved ones affected in other ways. In addition to praises for acting, writing, and directing, the film also deserves praise for its musical score, costumes, and set design including the use of vintage cars in the 1951 segment.
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
This film is likely one of the best ever about the subject of mental illness. The various dramas are powerful and believable. The sensitive topic is handled with compassion and understanding in ways that are accurate, in-depth, and courageous while telling three riveting stories.
In addition to the great work of the four actors mentioned, there are other performances in smaller roles that also stand out. One is Toni Collette as Laura's next door neighbour, Kitty. In a short period, she exposes a lot of her life with many subtleties. Her discussions of her husband give us a lot of information about him even though he never appears in the film. He doesn't need to as the descriptions of him (including brief subtexts) are so rich. The writing deserves as much credit as the acting in this scene.
There is also Louis (Jeff Daniels) who is Richard's ex-lover. Louis' conversation with Clarissa about Richard (and themselves) is another powerful scene. Unlike the conversation mentioned in the above paragraph, the main subject of the conversation (Richard) does appear in the film and quite prominently. This contrast and variety add to the film's strength.
There's also Stephen Dillane as Virginia's husband, Leonard. He is in various scenes but his strongest is one where he and Virginia are having an argument at a train station. This one-on-one (like the other two previously mentioned) is very moving.
Kidman's performance can be praised for various reasons including being perfectly steady while portraying someone who is unsteady. It's easy to sympathize with Virginia as she expresses her pessimism on good days when she has no idea if/when the mental illness will return and if so, how bad it will be. There is also a powerful scene when Virginia is interacting with a young niece (Sophie Wyburd) while talking about a dead bird they've found.
There are various subtleties that add greatly to the story with many hints. One is the description of Laura as a teenager recalled by her husband, Dan (John C. Reilly) while their young son (Jack Rovello) listens. This revelation seems to fit Laura as to her future development.
Further praise for acting can go to Moore for her final monologue: a scene which is as rich in acting as it is in writing. The information revealed here is quite compelling.
Each story ends with some similarities as well as startling differences. Overall, the film has great compassion for those affected by mental illness and their loved ones affected in other ways. In addition to praises for acting, writing, and directing, the film also deserves praise for its musical score, costumes, and set design including the use of vintage cars in the 1951 segment.
RATING: 10 out of 10
OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENTS:
- Directing by Stephen Daldry
- Screenplay by David Hare (based on the book by Michael Cunningham)
- Acting Ensemble
- dbamateurcritic (wordpress)
- proud_luddite
- Nov 23, 2025