Search - The Hours and Times on DVD

Eavesdropping

Clare Quilty | a little pad in hawaii | 02/06/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Short, sharp, and crispy imagined and photographed, "The Hours and Times" presents a casual-to-the-point-of-verite look at John Lennon, and the Beatles manager and worshiper, Brian Epstein as they spend a weekend in Spain after the detonation of Beatlemania, but before the explosion. It's pretty common knowledge that Epstein was in love with Lennon; common knowledge also that Lennon had issues with his own sexuality and curiousity, that he was equally in awe of and disgusted by Epstein. This movie offers a hypothetical treatment of two days in their relationship.Many people will complain that this movie moves slowly, that not a lot happens. I found that to be one of its virtues, because the performances seem (to me, anyway) to be so dead-on, and the script is so careful not to show off, that at times it does feel like we're watching documentary footage of the two famous, troubled geniuses. Unlike most movies, this film says exactly what it has to say in just about an hour... and then ends. I both admired the movie's restraint and was sorry to see it end.So many details seem right, too: hotel lobbies and suites in Barcelona; the interior of a 727 (of which we only really see two seats); Lennon sketching in pajamas, being casually cruel to his wife, Cynthia; Epstein listening to the radio and gently crying. One particular scene, in which John squares off against a shrewd stewardess and they resolve the drama by twisting to a new Little Richard single, contains enough truth and beauty and sadness to fill an entire, full-length movie. If you've ever poured over a book of Beatle photographs and marveled as much at the famous faces as at the little details in the background -- Coke bottles, packs of Marlboros, rings and board games, transistor radios, suits and shirts and ties -- you really should see this movie."

Intriguing...

Clare Quilty | 03/10/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Despite the description, this film is not at all sensationalistic or exploitive. It's very sensitive and arty and very in-keeping with both Lennon's and Epstein's personalities. You really feel both characters' frustration: Lennon's at being at a confusing crossroad of oncoming fame and unwanted fatherhood and Epstein's at desparately wanting someone he can never have. It's more a dual character study than anything else. Lennon was fascinating in his angry young man stage and Epstein was hopelessly, pitifully attracted to people and circumstances that could only bring him pain. Lennon was not gay (in fact by all accounts he was downright homophobic at that age) but his empathy for Epstein's plight was so strong. He was torn between his heterosexuality and wanting to ease Epstein's suffering. A relationship would have been completely impossible and they both knew it. This film was quite realistic in not tacking on some kind of would-be happy ending or any ending at all, because with this type of situation, nothing is resolved, nothing ends -- it can't be any other way. If you're a Lennon fan, you really should see this."

A very tasteful and creative look at their relationship

Emily | USA | 01/31/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a big Lennon fan, so I just had to see this movie. I was very pleased, even though the film was a low budget, it was very well done, and the actor who played Brian was exellent for the part(he ws good at complaining) Ian Hart ws also exellent as John. It seems that nobody really knew what happened between John and Brian...other books(The Beatle Anthology) say that he said it was never that kind of relationship, but we will never know. I imagine that what happened might have been similiar to what happened in the movie. The bathroom scene left me without words, but I guess I shouldn't of been suprised, nor am I bothered by it. One thing I don't get is near the end of the movie, it shows Brian and John laying in the same bed together, naked(but semi-covered by sheets)John is asleep, and Brian strokes John's arm... All in all it was very good, and I reccomend it to any John or Brian fan who can stomach a few seconds of seeing them make out."

Amazing

Beth | 05/26/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This movie is simply the sexiest movie I've ever seen. Period. As a straight woman I never thought that sexual tension between two men could be so effective. The acting is excellent. I feel that Ian Hart is a little more accurate in his portrayal in this film than he was in Backbeat. The slow pacing works to the films advantage, and the ambiguous ending was great, I felt, although I have read other reveiws that thought it was rushed and sudden.

I am very privlaged to be able to add this DVD to my collection, not only becase of it's relevence to my Beatles collection, but becase it was a damn good film."