The Children's Hour
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Movie Reviews of The Children's Hour
Movie Review: Searing Study Of Sexual Prejudice With Fine Work By Audrey Hepburn And Shirley MacLaine
Summary: 5 Stars
Rarely nowadays do you ever get such fine acting vehicles for two women in the same film as you get here in "The Children's Hour". An extremely "daring", film for its time in that it actually explored lesbian related issues without ever mentioning it by name the film in actual fact was based on a much earlier play written by Lillian Hellman and had already been mad einto a motion picture in the 1930's titled "These Three"., Although tame by todays standards, "The Children's Hour", was in many ways a ground breaking film that introduced adult topics into main stream cinema many years before this became common place. Apart from the strength of the writing which even in the early 1960's still had to skirt around the sexuality issue in order to get past the censors of the day, the real plus of this production is the superb work done by both Audrey Hepburn and Shirley MacLaine as the two young teachers who are swept into a firestorm of gossip, scandal and ultimately tragedy. Although both actresses are remembered better for their more famous roles rarely have they been better than in "The Children's Hour", with Shirley MacLaine in particular giving a devastating performance as the innocent young woman who pays the ultimate price for the power that gossip has in a small community.Movie Review: Understated and Unrelenting
Summary: 5 Stars
This is how European Film and (sometimes) Hollywood could rise to the occaision. Where "To Kill A Mockingbird" uses a sledgehammer to convery its message, this film uses a razor's edge.
This must be Audry Hepburn's finest dramatic role. No princess here. Same for Shirly McClain. No "hooker with a golden heart" here. James Gardner's character is secondary, but he plays it as unobtrusively as the role requires.
The child actresses are excellent. No McCauly Caulkin excesses here -- the evil child is truly evil, right down to the abject horror on her face when her deeds are exposed!
But what is truly remarkable about this film is the way it flirts with moments where you think, ah here comes the tension-relieving redemption of the town characters. But no! There are at least 3 twists in the final third of the drama that just bring home the message like an unexpected shiv between the ribs, and almost leave you with a broken heart -- except for Hepburn's amazing exit with no dialog, as if to say, the rest of you townies can just go to hell for what you did to us (very un-Hepburn!). It's not negative though. Her character, through her own strength, does self-fashion a form of redemption.
Simply oustanding cinema!
Movie Review: Important, Impressive, 5 Stars
I definitely remember seeing this movie as a youngster, well before I had come out to friends and family, and it left an indelible impression on me and actually provided me with survival tools, all people, regardless of their differences would invariably need to effectively deal with societal intolerance. (As a matter of fact, being gay and African-American, an excellent companion piece to this film would be the original film production of "A Raisin in the Sun." This constitutes inspiration of the highest order!!)The performances are spellbinding, most notably, Audrey Hepburn and Shirley McClaine. It was indeed ahead of its time and quite frankly I am surprised it has not been re-done. But on second thought, regardless of cast, there would be very little that a remake could lend. This would be a classic example of "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." This version does exactly what it was intended to do: open up a dialogue. It is uncomprimising and tastefully done with wrenching performances and is just as timely today as when it was first produced. I heartily recommend it as a thought-provoking and important film.
Movie Review: Very Good Movie
Summary: 5 Stars
This movie was very good. When I first saw it I did not know it was about the topic of lesbianism so I was suprised. This movie is based on a play by the same name which when it came out it was very controversial. I really thought that it was a little ahead of its time. The other movie called These Three took the entire theme of lesbianism which made the movie nothing more than every other movie of its time. I was dissapointed by the movie These Three so I stopped watching it because it took alot of the movie. 2 women "supposedly" fighting over a man, so what big deal. That is why when I saw the children's hour I was rlieved that they stuck with the orginal theme.I love Audery Hepburn and wish she really would have been a lesbian in the film. Now there just needs to be a version that takes it a step further and make the characters lesbians in love. (oh wait has that been done already?)Movie Review: Very Subtle yet Truly Absorbing
Summary: 5 Stars
Despite claims that the focal issue of this film was skirted I find that not to be the case. I think the focus of the film was on relationships, misunderstandings and irreconcilable resolutions of conflicts instigated by unsubstantiated innuendo. The cause or reason for perhaps perceived inappropriate behavior and relationships during the era this movie was filmed is truly left to whatever conclusions the viewer wishes to make. Shirley MacLaine's character is indeed a tormented soul searching for the intangible. For me the biggest casualty was James Garner's relationship with Audrey Hepburn. Once a word is spoken doubt can eat away at the heart and soul. This for me was the real tragedy in this film. I think it holds up and I enjoy repeated viewings of it. Director William Wyler is the master of subtlety.