The Children’s Hour
The PIFF is over, but I actually saw this film before I left. Well, considering the fact that I have a lot to say about each one of those PIFF films, I wanted to give myself a break to blog about “The Children’s Hour” which, well, leaves me with almost nothing to say.
As Shirley MacLaine and Audrey Hepburn are two of my favorite actresses, it was obvious that I would see this film one day. Unfortunately I had this movie on my hard drive since something like 2007. Seven years later, I finally forced myself to see it, and remembered why it was so hard for me to pick it up in the first place. “The Children’s Hour” has a somewhat dated, noncommittal story and there is essentially nothing in the execution that I found outstanding, except for the lead actresses maybe. But if even those two cannot save the film and provide enjoyment nevertheless, then that’s quite an unprecedented low in a film.
With that said, I do think the direction is solid, but it doesn’t redeem the incredible boredom factor. Maybe other people were touched by this story or felt some sort of suspense, but it certainly didn’t work for me. All I remember is the main characters suffering and a little girl being very, very annoying. Heck, if it was me, I would swallow my pride and rob that old lady of all the money she has, and then leave for good. Even the future husband was all for it after all – I just don’t get why the characters acted that way I suppose.
Oh yeah, I think “The Children’s Hour” mostly cured me of my love for 50s clothing. I still love the silhouette, but lately the Betty Draper style is a little bit too feminine for my tastes. That’s the kind of bad influence it was! I wouldn’t recommend the film to anyone, not even those who are fans of the lead actresses like me.