Spike Lee's monumental film 25th Hour lived up to my every expectations, and surpassed them in almost every way.

His vision for this film is incredible, and gives me hope that there is still some good movement in Hollywood today.

Originally seeing the film because of its main star, Edward Norton, I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the latest installment in Norton's impressive acting file.

Just like most of his films have impressed me, 25th Hour blew me away.

--Synopsis--

Norton's character, Monty Brogan, has one day left until he does time in Otisville. He's being sent there on a drug bust from the DEA and suspects those who are closest to him for ratting him out. In this last 24 hours before his incarceration, Monty spends time with his family, girlfriend, and friends.

Norton's sidekick, Kostya Novotny provides some comic relief and is Norton's obvious "partner in crime."

Jake is a high school teacher, while Frank is a wall street broker. The connection between the three is that they've been friends since their early years.

Jake is optimistic and tries to shed light on Monty's bust, while Frank blames Jake's liberalism and pacifism for making Jake unrealistic and not tuned into society. Frank's views are much darker but overall seem to be more accurate, as he lays out several scenarios for Norton's character to take either pre or post prison life.

Naturelle, Monty's girlfriend, is played remarkably, as she tries to cope with her boyfriend going off to jail, and what to do next in her life.

Monty's father, James, is a firefighter and owns a bar. He blames himself for Monty's incarceration and is a man who takes one step at a time, sporting post 9/11 objects, flyers, and pictures on the walls of his bar.

Together these characters construct what is to become of Monty Brogan's last 24 hours in the way that he knows it.

--Review--

Until the last fade of this film, it kept me on the edge of my seat. Not because it was so action packed or suspenseful, but it throws these characters at you and you wish and hope that in the end, it's all just a dream; things don't really have to turn out this way.

Sadly, just like in life, our plans rarely turn out the way that we wish, and Lee's film is no different, placing these famous faces in real predicaments and having them make real decisions.

The pacing can be a little slow at times, but is to be expected with the type of film 25th Hour claims to be, as the focus isn't on action or on abstract ideas, rather it is on the people that make up this man's life, and sometimes those people aren't very exciting, just like our lives. The pacing is nothing to be worried about or to shy away from, for it is typical in this genre and is used sparingly.

I thought it was genius for Spike to use 9/11 as a connection in his film. NYC post 9/11 made the film so much more real to me, as you see the shadows of the Towers and where they stood, while construction workers clean up the rubble and Jake and Frank talk about Bin Laden. It gives this movie such a realistic feel it's almost frightening - something Hollywood rarely accomplishes in its films. The opening shot, after seeing the lights, made me realize it was the "Tribute of Light" that was roughly 6 months after 9/11, and gives one a sense that this movie is nothing short of serious and superb.

Most people have seemed to bash Lee's style in this movie. Though I have only seen a couple of other movies done by him, I found that I had no reason to suspect this movie would be bad because of his "characteristics."

If you listen to the commentary, most people would realize that the rant on NYC (and life in general) done by Monty in the bathroom (which is probably one of my favorite scenes) was in the book AND (as the commentary points out): the author was inspired by Lee's movie "Do The Right Thing," in which a smaller version of this 5 minute long rant is found.

The catch is at the end of Monty's rant, when he blames himself, realizing that his views of the world may be accurate, but more so he's the one who needs to be blamed for his faults. Not other people.

The movie seems to follow this theme that although the world is crooked, somehow we are all responsible for how we end up.

Montgomery Brogan's incarceration is no different in this truly remarkable film.

--Features--

While the 25th hour doesn't have a ton of extra features on the DVD, the audio commentary by the writer David Benioff and director Spike Lee is interesting and gives you more insight into Spike's filmmaking. A few deleted scenes are interesting but are certainly deleted for a reason. The best of which is titled "Sway," giving the perspective of most of these characters on what sway is.

The soundtrack for this film is one that I went out and bought after I saw the film. I enjoyed it so much and got decent goosebumps on my arms and neck after hearing the main theme in the beginning and seeing the 9/11 visuals was very moving. Terence Blanchard's orchestration is diverse and doesn't feel rehashed or redone in the sense that you hear the same theme over and over and over.

Overall, the entire elements of the films composure lends to it being one of my personal favorites, and one that continually leaves me in awe of how truthful it seems to be - no matter how much influence Hollywood had on it.

Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: DVD
Video Occasion: Fit for Friday Evening
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age