Watch Hours
- PG-13
- 2013
- 1 hr 37 min
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6.3 (31,005)
The movie Hours is a 2013 thriller drama film directed by Eric Heisserer and starring Paul Walker, Genesis Rodriguez, and Nancy Nave. The movie is set in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in New Orleans, and it follows a father's struggle to keep his premature newborn daughter alive as the city is battered by the storm. The story opens with Nolan (Paul Walker) and his heavily pregnant wife Abigail (Genesis Rodriguez) arriving at a New Orleans hospital after Abigail's water breaks prematurely. However, as the couple waits for Abigail to go into labor, Hurricane Katrina hits the city, causing widespread damage and chaos. As the hospital is evacuated, Nolan is left alone in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) with his newborn daughter, who relies on a ventilator to breathe.
Over the course of the next 48 hours, Nolan must find a way to keep his daughter alive while struggling to survive in the storm-ravaged hospital. The movie explores the emotional and physical toll of a man's fight to keep his child alive, as Nolan battles exhaustion, dehydration, and the loss of electricity as the generator fuel begins to run out.
The film is a powerful portrayal of a father's love and resilience as he battles against overwhelming odds to protect his newborn daughter. Paul Walker delivers a strong performance in what would be one of his last movies before his tragic death in 2013. His portrayal of Nolan is nuanced and heartfelt, and he shows the character's growth from a panicked and desperate father to a determined and resourceful survivor.
Genesis Rodriguez, who plays Nolan's wife, Abigail, delivers a solid performance in the limited time she is on screen. Her character is pivotal to the plot, as it is her pregnancy that sets the events of the movie into motion. Despite her brief appearance, Rodriguez's performance adds an emotional weight to the film that drives Nolan's relentless fight to keep their daughter alive.
Nancy Nave's cameo as Nolan's grandmother is a touching moment in the movie. The scene brings a much-needed break from the intensity of the story as the two share a tender moment that reveals more of Nolan's past and his motivations.
The movie's setting, the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, adds a real-life urgency and authenticity to the story. As Nolan battles to save his child, the storm rages on outside, reminding the audience of the real-life impact of the disaster. The gritty, claustrophobic setting of the hospital adds an extra layer of tension to the film, as Nolan navigates the labyrinthine corridors of the evacuated hospital, searching for food and supplies to keep his daughter alive.
The movie's score is haunting and emotional, perfectly capturing the movie's themes of love, loss, and survival. The film's use of silence in crucial moments heightens the tension and creates a visceral sense of dread that keeps the audience engaged.
Overall, Hours is a powerfully emotional movie that explores the lengths a father will go to protect his child. While the movie does have some pacing issues, the intense emotion and stunning performances make this movie worth watching. The film is a fitting tribute to Paul Walker's legacy, as he delivers a heart-wrenching performance that showcases his range as an actor.
Hours is a 2013 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.3 and a MetaScore of 55.