Not exactly an "easy" film with an unrecognisable Oscar winning performance from Nicole Kidman- but splendidly made & beautifully acted by the all star cast who must have appeared for far less than their usual salaries purely because they believed in the project. It contrasts the lives of 3 women over a 50 year span with a chilling link appearing in the last 10 minutes. It's good to know as well that in an era where it seems only mindlessness rules the box office that "The Hours" actually made money!