The Quiet Hour

source: The Quiet Hour

An independent movie with a low budget - what can one expect? There have been way better movies in a few respects, with similar things (production values, genre, actors etc). Having said that, this is quite decent to say the least. The story is tight overall and while it all plays out more or less in one location, that helps the movie quite a lot. You still have to cut the movie some slack and suspend your disbelief. The what would I do department is always one that is quite rich when it comes to movies like this one. Still give it a try if you have a heart for it - after the beginning you should be able to tell if the movie and you are a good fit.

I read the synopsis for this 2014 sci-fi thriller and must say that the whole alien invasion aspect sounded interesting enough. Now, normally I am not overly keen on sci-fi movies, but I liked the cover and the synopsis here, so I gave "The Quiet Hour" a chance. And I made it a mind-boggling 55 minutes into the ordeal before I gave up. It was painstakingly clear then that the movie was never going to get up into a watchable pace. And yeah, in those excruciating 55 minutes nothing, and I mean nothing, had happened. I have no idea what writer and director Stéphanie Joalland hoped to accomplish with this movie, but it certainly wasn't good entertainment. Sure, the acting in the movie was adequate, and despite having a very small cast ensemble, then I will say that the people on the cast list managed to pull off their jobs well enough. But they were just fighting a steep uphill battle against a total lack of story. In the 55 minutes that I suffered through there wasn't even anything remotely of a sense of despair or anything that resembled the world having been through an alien invasion. "The Quiet Hour" is without a doubt one of the most boring, uneventful and fully unnecessary movies that I have stumbled upon. And believe me when I say that I am never returning to watch the rest of the movie, because there was just absolutely nothing worthwhile here. I am rating "The Quiet Hour" one out of ten stars rating. If you enjoy sci-fi, do yourself a big favor and give this movie a wide berth.

I really enjoyed this - I kept thinking I should go to bed but couldn't stop watching. Whether you like it or not depends on whether you prefer action over thoughtful plots - I like both and wasn't disappointed with this. I didn't need aliens to be engaged.

OK: if you have been following my reviews, I typically am seeing second or third rate films that I often tell you up front to avoid. This one is different in several ways: acting, directing, and cinematography. If one of all of these aspects interest you, then definitely check "The Quiet Hour" out! The acting is above the typical indie or even main stream feature. Dakota Blue Richards is compelling as the girl/woman who drives this film. Her survival strength is unbelievable--whether it is burying her dead father or surviving a rape attempt. She is worth watching. Also compelling is Karl Davies. I do not have HBO so I have not seen him in "Games of Thrones"; however, his skills is emerging: he enters as a questionable character, he wins out hearts (see particularly is teary time with Richards--his tears really look real!), and he leaves the film with a question mark. His talent is emerging and he, too, deserves your interest in tracking his career. The director is Stephanie Joalland and certainly she needs your attention. I saw in an interview with the "Austin Chronicle" that she is influenced by Daphne do Maurier novella, "The Birds," NOT the Hitchcock film. Indeed, the pacing and the horror is not in things beyond us, but things that are within us. Joalland paces the film in an careful manner where we can reflect on what horror really is. She directs her cast in a thoughtful manner and frames shots that capture the beauty of the country-side OR build anxiety as the plot moves. Certainly this director is one I want to see more from. I do have one complaint: the ending is hurried and is not earned. I would have preferred something more ambiguous (I don't want to say any more because I don't want to post a spoiler here.)Some may appreciate this ending, but you see my caution. The ending, however, does not ruin the experience of this film. So check out "The Quiet Hour." If you like a hybrid of sci-fi and post-apocalypse survival with solid acting and directing, this film is for you!

I was really at a loss as to why this movie had so many bad reviews, and then I realized that they must be from people who were expecting a sci-fi flick. This is definitely not a sci-fi movie. It uses a sci-fi concept as a story backdrop while the real story focuses on human behavior and survivalism. The cinematography of this film is exceptional...it reminds me a bit of 'The Road', though not as dreary. The acting is really good, and Dakota Blue Richards is beautiful in her strength and love for her brother. She steals the show in this movie. If you are looking for a good scifi movie, this film is not for you. If you are looking for a touching story of post apocalyptic family survival, definitely check 'The Quiet Hours' out.

The actors are good, the filming is good and the production is good. If this was a meal I'd describe it as good vegetarian. There's nothing really original, there are other movies with a very similar theme out there. It's power is its youth, our heroes, honestly portrayed when faced with loss and other far more aggressive stranger adults, whom happen to outnumber them. The youngest is immature and has a disability, all wrong steps stem from this innocence. From that point of view this is well crafted, and an engaging experience. The plot has several moments of true creativity and forethought. It ends well, which was satisfying. For me, being much older than the cast, I tended to see many missed opportunities. Sometimes the camera captured nature or sky with real flare, but there could have been much more of this. The Quiet Hour could have been peppered with symbolic natural image, on both small and grand scale. I liked the location, but it wasn't invested with enough for me. Then there is the aliens. I'm assuming a truly tight budget, because a bit more of that creativity could have brought this movie into a more contemporary horror. We enjoy a new age of computer graphics, and we should delight in possibilities. Overall though, as the movie wasn't long, I'm happy to recommend it.

Simply a bad Movie with a so called plot. It´s not a sci fi movie. The worst for me was the acting, especially the blind guy that looks at everything. Overated film that deserves 3 or 2 in IMDb. I think It was rated for those who produce the movie or were part of the cast.

As I watched this mixture of clichés,stereotypes and costume characters from assorted other films I was just thankful that I had not attended the various film festivals that had selected this film as an entry. If there is an independent film that gives the title "independent" a bad name it is this one. And the positive reviews ? One wonders if there is an attempt by friends or professional "others" to sell films like this via review systems . What film festival selection committee could select this film as sci fi ? Or as independent....the very nature of this kind of cinema is an attempt to produce cinema which is outside the mainstream, not just in production/distribution , but in cinematic styles and/or content/themes....but also offering an attempt at originality. The Quiet Hour offers none, and as such is horribly depressing in that so many festivals, and those who promote such a concoction of stereotypes, represent poor respect for the real wealth that cinema has to offer...

Had the great pleasure of seeing this film at the Galway Film Festival, And was not disappointing one bit. The film has everything for an entertaining viewing. Superb location,sensitive score, believable performances and excellent camera work. Hard to believe this is a directors debut," who needs a big budget" with gems like this filmed on a shoestring. The Fantastic Tipperary Ireland landscape proved more than equal to set the scene for this story of a battle against the odds. Hopefully this film will get the cinematic release it truly deserves and needs. Lets hope the reviews from the Raindance festival move this film into gear .