The Hours and Times

I back-ordered this movie because of the clearance price, not entirely sure if I was going to like it or not. The first time I saw the movie, I thought, "What the heck...?"

I watched it again, using earphones, and I was fascinated how subtle the emotions are suggested. The character development is very realistic (thankfully it wasn't all sappy and sweet). The ending was suitable--it ended where there was nothing else to say, and their relationship becomes more in itself.

Unfortunately, Ian Hart didn't do John Lennon a lot of justice... Hart's portrayal was too emotionless, when I always had the impression that Lennon actually knew WHEN to emote in conversation. David Angus is perfect in his role as Brian Epstein.

I recommend this to any Beatle fan who want something different.

It's basically what you would expect from it. The director must have had kept John Lennon's thought on the matter of him and Brian having that vacation together. He said that, "It was NEVER consummated. But we did have a PRETTY INTENSE RELATIONSHIP." This was carried out through the whole film, even in the famous bathroom scene. Over all I enjoyed the film for the fact that it went along with the little bits of facts and never exaggerated them. This is close to the real thing of what might have happened those couple of days.

I saw this one in 1994 and I was under the impression. Contrary to one of the other comments, I found Ian Hart's impersonation of Lennon strong: witty, hurting and sensitive at times. The interaction between Epstein and Lennon in a strange pre-Beatlemania atmosphere was fascinating: BEA-aircompany, Lennon going to watch some Gaudis in Barcelona (did he really know Gaudi at that time ?), Lennon picking up a girl (stewardess on the flight). It seems far from the peace loving prophet a few years later. And still, I think, much closer to the "real" John Lennon. The beautiful Bach-score (Goldberg variations by Glenn Gould) offers an impressing undertone to this portrait, which looks like a forebode of the dramatic short lives of both protagonists.

This movie explores the complex relationship between John Lennon and homosexual Beatles manager Brian Epstein. In April 1963, Lennon and Epstein took a trip to Barcelona together, and what may have happened there is the subject of this finely nuanced film. Epstein struggles with his desperate, hopeless love for Lennon, and the surly, sharp-witted and cruel Lennon is torn between needling him about it and relieving his suffering. Watching them spar in conversation is fascinating. Contrary to what it might sound like, the movie is not exploitative. Instead it is a meditation on the frequently tortured friendship between these two men. Very well done!

A very low-budget indie film - and, boy, does it show! - that is barely an hour long. A theoretical look into one of the most debatable topics in music history.

Ian Hart and David Angus really appeared to nail their roles (in some angles, Hart even resembles the real Lennon!). The conversations Lennon and Epstein had, the way they were worded, I could easily imagine in real-life. There's also scenes showing how different they are from each other -- for example, John speaks to his wife, Cynthia, on the phone in a bit of an aloof manner, contrasting to Brian's more loving conversation with his mother.

Lennon was known for the way he'd taunt Epstein for his sexuality and heritage (but, ultimately, did love him); while the film doesn't shy away from this behavior, it's also weirdly framed between the line of simple teasing and being sexually charged.

I was surprised to detect seemingly mutual sexual tension between the men -- obviously, scriptwriter-director Christopher Münch's intention.

This could also just be me, but there were some shots that reminded me of other LGBT-themed films: the two main characters looking at each other through the mirror like in Carol (2015); and the two conversing outside at a table, similarly with Elio and Oliver in Call Me by Your Name (2018).

A decent effort, although I do wish this was a little longer, if not just to answer the question, "Did they or didn't they?" I will give The Hours & Times a re-watch coming next year.