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The Hours Critique -> Please grade this post

Mutations are probable the moment one goes from a given set of fluid, but relatively homogeneous,

conventions to another; that changes are inevitable the moment one abandons the linguistic for the

visual medium (Bluestone, 241).

The elements of a novel can undergo dramatic changes once those are transposed onto the visual

medium. Characters, plot, and dialogue in a novel can be greatly modified to meet the directors needs.

A clear example of this is observed in Stephen Daldrys adaptation of The Hours. In the film, Michael

Cunninghams novel was altered to show a slightly different kind of relationship between Mrs. Laura

Brown and Kitty. Stephen Daldry portrays the two characters as distant beings who could be rivals by

using a modified script, full shots, closed forms, and lighting. In contrast, Cunningham portrays them as

best friends by relying on the dialogue, and Mrs. Browns perspective.

Stephen Daldry added lines to the script, which created subtle tensions between Mrs. Brown and Kitty.

In the film, there was only one scene that showed Laura Brown and Kitty interacting. The scene starts by

showing Mrs. Brown in the kitchen, while she is decorating her husbands birthday cake. Kitty arrives at

her house and knocks on the door vigorously. She proceeds into the home, and greets her friend and her

child. Both characters walk into a small and humble kitchen, where Mrs. Browns unattractive cake is

displayed on a countertop. After noticing the deformed cake, Kitty begins to make obnoxious comments

about it. Her comments pointed out the poor quality of the cake, and Mrs. Brown incompetence in the

kitchen. For example, she said that Everyone knows how to make a cake; it is the easiest thing in the

world. I bet you did not grease the pan (Daldry). These lines are not present in Cunninghams version of

this scene. Instead, they were incorporated by Daldry in order to make the characters appear as rivals.

The implied rivalries between Mrs. Brown and Kitty are analogous to those between a stereotypical high

school cheerleader, and an introvert girl who spends her days reading at the library. This deviates from

Cunninghams approach, because his dialogue reveals that the characters do not criticize or atrophy

each other.

Cunningham portrays Mrs. Brown and Kitty as best friends in the dialogue. In Cunninghams work, the

setting of the scene is the same as in the film. However, the characters interact differently with each

other. For instance, when Kitty notices Mrs. Browns cake, she does not criticize it. Instead, she only

expresses that the cake is cute (Cunningham, 104). This line reveals that Kitty is very polite, and that

she does not want to offend her friend in any way. Another instance that is reflective of their tension-

free relationship is when they talk about their favorite brands of coffee (Cunningham, 107). By

conversing about simple aspects of life (such as coffee), the reader can easily sense the strong affinity

between the characters. In fact, they appear to be emotionally connected as siblings are. In addition to

providing a dialogue that reflects the characters friendship, Cunningham explores the nature of their

moral character through Mrs. Browns thoughts.

Mrs. Browns perspective shows that herrelationship with Kitty could have been different due to their

moral character. Mrs. Brown reveals that she might not have ever become friends with Kitty, if they had

met in high school. One of her recollections revealed that Kitty Was one of several authoritative,

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aggressive, not quite beautiful girls so potent in their money and their athletic confidence

(Cunningham, 102). These lines show that Kitty is not the person one would expect to be good friends

with a shy and fragile girl like Mrs. Brown. Laura Browns perspective informs the reader that although

Kitty is a pleasant person to be around now, she used to be harsh and arrogant.

As expressed by Bluestone, changes to the elements of a novel are inevitable once the director importsthose to visual media (241). In Daldrys adaptation of The Hours, the viewer can pinpoint which literary

element deviate from the novel by simply examining the dialogues in both versions. Daldrys final

product reflects a tense relationship between Mrs. Brown and Kitty; whereas Cunningham portrays

them as best friends. Furthermore, Daldry managed to superimpose Kittys flaws in the present, while

Cunningham used Mrs. Brown to inform the reader about her moral character.