Classic Movie Review: The Hours and Times (1991)

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The Hours and Times (1991) 

Directed by: Christopher Munch.

Written by: Christopher Munch.

Starring: David Angus (Brian Epstein), Ian Hart (John Lennon), Stephanie Pack (Marianne), Robin McDonald (Quinones), Sergio Moreno (Miguel), Unity Grimwood (Mother).

 

The Hours and Times is an example of one of those films that had essentially fallen through the cracks of film history in the years since it came out. This is a film that won prizes at both Sundance and Berlin film festivals, received a lot of praise, and then kind of disappeared. I remember reading about this film in the 1990s – and not being able to find it anywhere. Part of the reason is because of its runtime – it’s only 56 minutes long, so it’s right in that no man’s land between a short and a feature. And part of the reason is because director Christopher Munch has had a spotty career since – he’s only directed 4 films since this, and none have made much of an impression. And so, The Hours and Times remains a fairly unknown film – and while it’s not a masterpiece or anything, it’s a very interesting film.

 

The film is about the trip to Spain that Brian Epstein and John Lennon took to Spain right before The Beatles exploded and became the biggest band in the world. The two couldn’t be any more different then they are – Lennon a working class guy, a womanizer, etc. – and Epstein is more refined, more upper class, and gay. The two of them talk, they “flirt” a little bit, talk about their lives. John says he doesn’t want to have sex with Brian – worries about people thinking they have slept together. Brian tries to talk to John about his marriage – but John doesn’t want to. They go to a gay bar – meet and flirt a little more, with another man there. There is a woman who John invites up to the room - prompting Brian to walk out in a huff. Brian remembers a moment when he took John to his “special” place in England – the roof of his parent’s apartment. The pair sit on the bench together, and Brian tries to get John to agree to come back here 10 years from now.

 

Other than the fact that Epstein and Lennon took this trip together, not much is really known about it. The film may flirt with the idea that these two will sleep together – that there is a sexual connection here, but it’s not really about that. It is a haunting film in many ways – especially late when Brian tries to get John to agree to come back here in 10 years. What neither character knows, but we do – is that in 10 years Epstein will be dead, and The Beatles will be no more – with Lennon also on the clock before his own death. The Hours and Times is the right name for this movie. Even if the film only runs 56 minutes, you feel that time go by – you feel those “hours” as it were. But this is about more than those hours – it is about these two men, their connection, and their lives.

 

The performances are both quite good. Ian Hart would go onto to play Lennon again – in a more traditional biopic Backbeat in 1994, about an early Beatles tour in Germany. He captures the cadence of Lennon’s voice, his mannerisms. You don’t have trouble believing him as Lennon. David Angus hasn’t really stuck with acting – he only has five total acting credits, only two since The Hours and Times – but he really is the heart of the film. While Hart can get away with doing an impression (he goes deeper, but the impression does a lot of work) – but Angus cannot lean on that. Angus is great here as the lonely Epstein – a character who longs for something, who is already looking back on his life, with some regrets, and looking forward with uncertainly.

 

Director Christopher Much didn’t think the film would ever really get distribution – he viewed it a DIY project, perhaps something to help make a name for himself, to get more attention. But the film did get more attention than he thought – part of that is the Beatles angle. But part of that is the sensitivity in which the film was written, directed and acted. The film is in beautiful black and white. He lets the character’s breath, he lets them talk, and the importance is both in what is said, and what is not said. It is a touching and moving film – and even if the film is only 56 minutes, it is the perfect length. Any longer, and the film would feel too stretched out, perhaps too slow. The film was restored this year – played again at Sundance, and got a limited re-release, and is now available on Criterion Channel. For those, like me, who have been interested in seeing this film for years – it’s worth a look.