Every time we went to rent 25th Hour it was gone. I really hate when that happens! But, that was an indication to me that it must be really good..which usually leads to it being really really bad. That was not the case here.

Monty Brogan got busted for selling drugs. As is usually the case, someone close to him fingered him. This is his last day before going to prison for 7 years.

Now, that sounds a bit dull on the surface. Indeed, it could have been very dull if not handled well. As it turns out, it was handled extremely well and is quite riveting.

How would you spend your last 24 hours? Would you go to a party? Spend it with your mate? Make a run for it? What would be going through your head? This movie is a nice exercise in the psychology of the sentenced person. It doesn't hurt that the main character is played by Edward Norton. I've liked his portrayals in every last movie he's ever done. Yes, that does include Red Dragon.

See, Norton isn't your typical hero-looking guy. He's average size and not overly good-looking, yet he's not hard on the eyes either. He's a guy you would picture being somewhat of a peacemaker, so his roles as drug dealers and such hit you that much harder. Norton, I'm convinced, can pull off anything that's thrown at him. Look what he did with American History X and Fight Club. Amazing.

Philip Seymour Hoffman. That name stands on it's own. One of the few names in movies that the vast majority of folks agree on. He is a force to be reckoned with. Hoffman can without question own any character. He does, in fact, own any movie in total that he appears in. Here, he is the old school chum of Brogan. They've known each other since childhood and although they have taken different paths as adults, they remain friends. His performance here is no less than Love Liza or The Talented Mr. Ripley. I've not yet seen Punch Drunk Love, but I know I will love it simply because of Hoffman's presence in it.

Barry Pepper is the other under-rated powerhouse as Frank Slaughtery, the 3rd of the childhood friend trio. Pepper is one of those names you don't immediately recognize, but when you see his face you know you've seen him in countless other films. Let's see if a few of those ring a bell.. The Green Mile? How about Saving Private Ryan? He's always getting the supporting roles, but I'd like to see him get a shot at a starring part. I think he could handle it. He has a very strong screen presence. He ain't pretty, but he sure can act! Look for the scene between him and Norton towards the end in the tunnel. You'll know it when you see it. Powerful is an understatement.

Rosario Dawson (Sidewalks of New York) is Norton's love interest. They worked well together, but didn't have the same sparks as her Laura did with Will Smith in MIIB. Still. It was ok, just not phenomenal.


This runs a bit over 2 hours and is Rated R for strong language and some violence. I can't believe they didn't list drug use. The raters are slipping. heh. I'm calling it at 16-ish up. Watch it with your young teens and it will be fine.

Spike Lee Directed this and I have to say it was a very well crafted piece of work. He almost made a major mistake and alienated a bunch of folks by including tons of Twin Tower footage that was irrelevant to the story. He apparently realized that and it ended up, for the most part, on the cutting room floor. You can see this footage in the DVD's Deleted scenes.

If you aren't into examining the human psyche, you may not get into this one. Personally, I loved it. And to answer a question: yes, there are circumstances that would have a sentenced criminal on the streets prior to serving his time. That's real. I got a great deal of enjoyment from this one, I give it 5 stars.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is an entry to the "Too Much Time On My Hands" write-off hosted by the lovely skbreese. Details for this write-off can be found here: http://www.epinions.com/content_3241451652

Donignacio | Minorthreat78 | Drdevience | Mimi369 | Gunn_ipm | St_patrick | Sleeper54 | Treesee | Volition45 | Lizf | Pduval69 | Dbbum | Fuchebu | Insomniac1587 | Pmills9254 | Jbduckling | Surgrn911 | Cg7kms | Anglewings72 | Kcfoxy | AVaddict

Happy Second Anniversary Sheila!



Recommended: Yes