25th Hour Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
This life was so close to never happening
One wrong choice... one last night... 24 hours to live a lifetime
Can you change your whole life in a day?
The 25th Hour depicts the last day of freedom for a young man before he begins serving a seven-year jail term for drug dealing. Prowling through the city until dawn with his two close male friends and his girlfriend, he is forced to re-examine his life and how he got himself into his predicament, which leads to a shocking, disturbing finale.
| Edward Norton | Monty Brogan |
| Barry Pepper | Frank Slaughtery |
| Anna Paquin | Mary D'Annunzio |
| Philip Seymour Hoffman | Jacob Elinsky |
| Rosario Dawson | Naturelle Riviera |
| Brian Cox | James Brogan |
| Tony Siragusa | Kostya Novotny |
| Levani Outchaneichvili | Uncle Nikolai |
| Tony Devon | Agent Allen |
| Misha Kuznetsov | Senka Valghobek |
| Isiah Whitlock Jr. | Agent Flood |
| Michael Genet | Agent Cunningham |
| Patrice O'Neal | Khari |
| Al Palagonia | Salvatore Dominick |
| Aaron Stanford | Marcuse |
| Spike Lee |
7.90 out of 10 (39216 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A bit slow but Edward Norton is fantastic
posted on 19 Jul 2009I'm a big fan of Edward Norton, and he plays another fantastic role here. He has an uncanny knack for playing multi-dimensional characters, and his Monty is no different. At times he comes across as a little too unselfish, a little too good considering his history and the crimes he committed. That's really my only fault with him. Otherwise his acting was brilliant.Unfortunately, some of the supporting cast could be better, and the movie itself drags in places. This is not a film that will make it to my top-10 list, but it was certainly well-done. In addressing the issues of taking responsibility for one's own life and actions, 25th Hour is an important film at a time when too many movies are about the shoot-em-up mentality and never really look at the consequences. This one does.Recommended. 7/10.
A good film with a nice message, but I wouldn't really go so far as to call it "great"...
posted on 17 Jul 2009What would you do with the last twenty-four hours of your life? No, this doesn't star Kiefer Sutherland: This is "25th Hour," the tale of a man sentenced to a minimum of seven years in prison for drugs. That man, Montgomery (Edward Burns), nicknamed Monty, says goodbye to his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), meets his Irish-American father (Brian Cox) for a beer, and spends the night with his friends. The entire time, the idea that this may be the last day of his life as he currently knows it is stamped firmly on his mind."25th Hour" is directed by Spike Lee, who is without a doubt one of America's most controversial filmmakers. What I believe separates him from other directors in a sense is that he makes films usually dealing primarily with African-Americans, and this caused outrage back in the ol' days before this was standard fare. But he also exploits blacks in a way that the black community dislikes Lee. Many films about African-Americans (like "Friday" and such) are there soley for the purpose of trying to cash in with the black audience and cause upset with the more clean-cut Americans. They don't show blacks as they are. Now, I'm not African-American, but I somewhat doubt that all blacks are like Ice Cube and Chris Tucker. Spike Lee knows this. He doesn't have an ego getting in his way; he shows African-Americans the way they are, not just stereotypical African-American film figures, which causes a lot of upset with his films very often. Whites didn't like his movies because they dealt with blacks; blacks didn't like his movies because they showed them in a different light than usual. He's a true director, not one hiding behind cliches.At least that's what I hear. I haven't seen many of Lee's films, but I was enthusastic to pick up "25th Hour"--and it was often quite good, often quite dull. Sometimes I really enjoyed the film; other times I thought it was being a bit too long in certain areas. Such a long scene is one where Monty goes to a nightclub the night before his sentence starts and chats with his friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper). I get the idea already.Norton ("Fight Club") is a great actor--he's been on my list of "up-and-coming greats" since "The Score" with Robert De Niro, in which Norton played a mentally retarded man who isn't actually retarded. Hey, he's not as good as Dustin Hoffman at doing the whole Rain Man thing, but he's still a tremendous young actor with an aspiring future.But hey, a lot of this movie was good, and for that I give it a wholehearted recommendation. It's a good movie, with some good ideas and dialogue. Just don't expect a jawdropper.3.5/5 stars.- John Ulmer
Lacking character development.
posted on 17 Jul 2009Contains Spoiler The 25th Hour is a depressing look at the last 24 hours of a man's "free life", before he is sent to prison for 7 years. Poor direction by Spike Lee left good actors, like Philip Seymour Hoffman, with no character development. Monty Brogan, played by Edward Norton, spends his last day with his two friends, Frank and Jakob, played by Barry Pepper and Philip Seymour Hoffman, and his lover, Naturelle, played by Rosario Dawson. Besides the pain of having to leave his life behind, Monty is also faced with not knowing who turned him in, giving the movie a vague who-dunit feel. Monty's character goes through a string of emotions ranging from distrust of his Naturelle, to anger at NYC, in essence trying to blame them for his mistakes, to sadness at saying goodbye, to acceptance of what he cannot change. Barry Pepper's performance of a neurotic stock-broker, who's grief at "losing his friend" he try's to mask with the need for justice, is awesome. His character, along with Monty, are the only character's who have growth and demension. His friendship is tested, and his grief shown through, in the end, when Monty asks him to do him a favor, a favor that is difficult, and heartbreaking. On the other hand, Jakob, has a flat character, whose attention is mostly caught up in his lust for a 16 year old student of his, played by Anna Paquin. Her character is moot, and so his her performance. Jakob's pre-occupation with her, even though he is supposed to be spending his last moments with Monty, gives his character a seemingly cold-hearted feel. When the conflict between Jakob and his conscience, and Jakob and Mary, finally reaches a crescendo, is hits a plateau, and is forgotten, making both of there character's appear to be a filler. Did Spike Lee just desire to have a misguided relationship in there? Naturelle's purpose in this movie was to further enhance the who-dunit aspect, leaving her little range to have growth.All in all, this movie was okay. Too many subplots that had little or nothing to do with the main storyline. Too maany characters without a firm purpose, too many holes, and questions left unaswered as the end.Rent it.
We do what we have to do to survive
posted on 17 Jul 2009I don't comment on films, nor do I listen to any opinions about them; but I must say in my own personal opinion that this is my favorite movie of all time. I'm a huge Spike Lee fan and although I think all of his work is amazing this title stands out so much. This film has it all, superb dialogue, heartfelt and in-depth acting, well written characters and an all-star cast, cinematography, photography, life lessons. It has it all. Throughout this film you become attached to each character and feel for everything they're going through. There is so much to say about this film and yet at the same time not enough. All I have to say is go out and watch this film and be blown away.
Excellent Performances; Great Direction!
posted on 11 Jul 2009I was fortunate enough to see 25th Hour, considering it is only showing in limited locations currently. However, this is one great film from director Spike Lee, whose directing credits include Summer of Sam, and Malcom X. Spike Lee is incredibly talented as a director and certainly gives a very raw look at society in his films. In particular Summer Of Sam, which shows several friends in an Italian neighborhood of New York City during the infamous summer of 1977 when the 'Son Of Sam' killer, David Burkowitz, was stalking the city. 25th Hour, which is by far different from Summer of Sam, still takes place in New York City post September 11, 2001. In fact, the opening credits of the film center around the search lights that were shot into the sky of New York City as a memorial to the fallen twin towers of the World Trade Center. What makes this film great is the raw feeling of it, and yet the sadness that one feels for it's main character, Monty played by Edward Norton (The Score, Red Dragon). The superb performances of a terrific cast must be pointed out, as well. Monty's two old friends from high school, Frank and Jakob played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman (The Talented Mr. Ripley, Red Dragon) and Barry Pepper (The Green Mile, We Were Soldiers), respectively. Monty's girlfriend Naturelle played by Rosario Dawson (Men In Black II, He Got Game). And, Monty's father, James Brogan played by Brian Cox (The Ring, The Bourne Identity). Another terrific performance was that of the young, talented, and beautiful Anna Paquin (X-Men, The Piano) who plays Frank's sexy seventeen year-old student, Mary, that Frank is becoming obsessed with. 25th Hour tells the story of Monty Brogan, a drug dealer who's made it rich in life and whose been caught and is off to prison for seven years. It's his last night of freedom and all he wants to do is spend time with his father, girlfriend and two close friends from high school. With the companionship of his dog, Doyle, who he saved from near death at the beginning of the film, Monty sets out on his last day of freedom, conflicted with regret for his mistakes and memories of happy times with his friends, family and girlfriend. But one thing Monty realizes and must come to terms with, after he gets out of prison, nothing will ever be the same. Seven years is a long time for anybody and people change. Also, what will Monty do career wise when he gets out of prison; he'll be in his late thirties and face it folks, former drug dealers/ex-cons don't really have the best job opportunities. Even with his friend Jakob, who promises that as soon as Monty gets out of prison, they will open a bar together, Monty knows that he and his friend will probably never open a business together. And perhaps, they will not see each other again. This film certainly has its humorous moments. Phillip Seymour Hoffman steals the show with his portrayal of Frank, the high school teacher obsessed with his seventeen year-old student, Mary, played by Anna Paquin. She obviously comes on to Frank at times during the film, but at one moment Frank takes that flirt of a student looking for a good grade in the class a little too seriously. Barry Pepper does a great job portraying Monty's other friend from high school, Jakob, now a stock broker with a reputation as a jerk, with a lot of self-admiration. This film has some disturbing moments. One scene in particular in which Monty goes into a restroom to wash his hands, he reads 'f*** you' written on a mirror. Monty looks at himself in the mirror as if having a conversation with himself, and he starts yelling at the mirror, saying `f*** you' and running down just about every social and ethnic group that exists in New York City, making them take the blame for his lot in life. As I noted above, the film takes place post September 11, 2001 in New York City, so there are the occasional scenes of ground zero, including a discussion between Frank and Jakob in Jakob's apartment which is downwind of the disaster area.25th Hour's screenplay was well written by the author of the best-selling book, David Benioff. And of course, Spike Lee does a great job directing the film. I admire the film's raw edge at times, with its over-exposure of certain shots, rough but realistic dialogue, and terrific performances. I'd also like to point out the film's score, which worked well in grabbing the eerie feeling of Manhattan after September 11, 2001. Also, for it's nice love theme and a score that really grabbed the feel of the film. The soundtrack alone, through it's score by Terrence Blanchard, who has scored such films as Summer Of Sam, Barbershop, and Original Sin, tells the story through music of this tale of a man who's life will never be the same after this day. Overall, it's one of the better movies that I have seen in a very long time. ***1/2
the best
posted on 07 Jul 2009I walked in the video store with my brother hoping to find something decent. We picked this movie up and gave it a try. I mean it is Ed Norton. The movie was absolutely incredible and accounts for the best drama that I've ever seen.Ed Norton plays Monty, a scared young man who has been framed for murder. He suspects its his girl friend Naturelle (Rosario Dawson). His friends Jacob and Frank (Hoffman and Pepper) try to be there for him as he has 24 hours to live. Monty has two goals before he goes to prison. First, who framed him and second he needs to get together with his friends and dad (Brian Cox)before he serves the seven years.This movie is an emotional one. Very few movies make me tear up and this one made me almost cry. This movie really describes what the moments before going to jail really feel like. I mean, seven years is more than seven years, its pretty much a lifetime. So much changes in those years. This movie also keeps me away from doing anything stupid to serve time in prison. It's almost like a life-changing wakeup call.This movie will always be the best movie I've ever seen, even better than One Flew Over A Cuckoo Nest!
Perhaps Lee's most overblown work to date but there is some good to be had out of it.
posted on 05 Jul 2009Whenever the author of a book also writes the screenplay that is then shot and turned into the film, I suppose there will always be the threat of them including a little too much as they adapt their own subject matter and story. Such is the case with 25th Hour; a film that rolls along with scene after scene of dialogue, character relationships, atmosphere (however limp at times), exchanges and other such things that might occur and all clocking in at around about two hours fifteen minutes. Maybe writer David Benioff could've made it a little shorter but I guess he wants us to absorb as bigger picture as possible.Whatever film of Edward Norton's (old or new) I come across, he always impresses me and he does the best with the material he's given here. His character does not go through any changes and as a drug dealer from the start with a fancy apartment and pretty wife, there is not much we can have for him in terms of empathy. Norton plays Montgomery Brogan, a guy who one day just gets careless as the film's initial incident would show us: someone's been telling the DEA what Montgomery keeps in his sofa seats as padding. And so, this launches a very slow and very precise film adopting a style that is somewhat reminiscent of a fly-on-the-wall approach to film presentation. We don't just see Monty and his friends in a nightclub dancing or getting drunk or whatever else other films would focus on, we actually have them queuing up outside; getting let in the door; finding a seat; sitting down; having them measure how much they drink; have them leave for the toilet and have them talk to one another about issues that do not mean much to the narrative.But then again, this is an interesting idea. Spike Lee's films are all about relationships, no matter how obscure or taboo to the respective backgrounds in which the characters live (see Jungle Fever, in my opinion his best film so far). I think it's rather a bit symbolic that the most interesting story going on in this film is the parallel narrative involving Jacob Elinsky (Hoffman), a lecturer, and Mary D'Annunzio (Paquin), a much younger student at his place of teaching. This is not surprising as it revolves around a relationship of some sort; a teacher/student relationship and one that threatens to escalate into a loving one. We first see Mary when she's in his class; her red attire draws our eyes immediately and her status as the one we should be focusing on is confirmed when Montgomery himself says so to Jacob upon visiting his class. But then Lee doesn't shoot her as an object of desire and cleverly has her as a smart and independent female – best demonstrated when she goes to Jacob's office to complain about grades and the quality of fellow students.So with this multi-stranded film focusing on Montgomery and his last night of freedom before he goes off to prison, how disappointing and yet interesting to have a secondary story actually better than the primary. The film also dips into Frank Slaughtery's (Pepper) egotistically driven life and world early on but it is scrapped after a while; perhaps mercifully since the film would've been longer. But that's not to say Frank plays an important role; well, he does precipitate in perhaps the film's best scene nearer the end when he has to do 'one last favour' for Norton's character but apart from that, he is a name and a face merely there to be spoken to. The film also has Kostya Novotny (Siragusa) dip in and out of the main strand since he is Monty's Russian friend. The scenes with Kostya are a breath of fresh air in an otherwise serious and depressing film and his scenes are either funny or dramatic; the one in the nightclub being the one that stands out.But apart from being a little Hannibal Lecter series reunion between Cox (Norton's father), Norton and Hoffman, there isn't much to be had out of 25th Hour. The film's subject matter is one that could be the final hours before a prisoner's execution or the last 'date' you'll spend with an ex-partner before they are married; it's just that Montgomery's story and situation do not make for pleasant viewing – nor does the approach at times. There are many exterior shots of the city at night which look beautiful but this is just hiding all the ugliness that is on the inside of the city, the ugliness that Montgomery dedicates a little monologue toward but it's all interesting and rather juxtaposed film-making. I do not think 25th Hour is a bad film but perhaps it is a misdirected one. I think the final act is where a lot of people have been fooled but I was less impressed. I'm sure the DEA's handling of prisoner transport in real life is a little more thorough than portrayed here and if Monty hated New York so much any way, I wonder why he didn't follow through on his ideas sooner rather than wait until when he does in the film. Waiting indeed, until the 25th Hour.
"excellent realistic drama"
posted on 23 Jun 2009"I saw this movie on the big screen and I liked it. The atmosphere, the realistic story and off course the acting...all together perfectly matching. Maybe a bit slow, but Edward Norton and Philip Seymour Hofmann keep the viewers attention. Best scenes are absolutely "disco scene where Hofmann kisses his pupil" and the "mirror-scene where Edward gives a clear and pointy presentation of his view on the society".
spike lee's best?
posted on 11 Jun 2009this is a fantastic movie. Great cast, unique cinematography and a phenomenal script. Edward Norton stars as Montgomery Brogan a new york drug dealer looking to go straight, until he is arrested and sentenced to 7 years in the slammer. The movie focuses on his last day of freedom, he re-unites with old friends (Phillip Seymour Hoffman & Barry Pepper) tries making up with his girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), who may or may not be the one who tipped off the cops and attempts to rebuild a relationship between him and his father (Brian Cox). This character study film gives one of the best endings in cinematic history and the performance from Ed norton is possibly his best, as usual Phillip Seymour Hoffman gives an outstanding performance, as too does Barry Pepper. However there is one scene which I believe to be one of the best written scenes in film, delivered wonderfully by Norton (you'll know it when you see it, actually the 'Make me ugly scene is one of the best but this heavyily racist yet meaningful scene, which did not offend me at all, is perhaps the best acting from norton. The direction from Lee is outstanting and well shot, it is a brilliant mix of his direction brilliance and the powerful performances from the actors. 10 out of 10, see it!
The consequences of our choices
posted on 30 May 2009Looking at this film from an artistic standpoint, it is mind-blowing. The camera angles, lighting and set design are informative and boost the imaginative qualities of the picture while providing information to the reality of the situation. I have not previously been a fan of "Spike Lee Joints", but the 25th Hour has provided me with a new light.Edward Norton, as always, gives an unforgettable performance. The character of Monty Brogan is one that p***es you off. You sympathize for him, but you hate yourself for doing so because you know that he deserves what he is getting. As a huge Edward Norton fan, having seen all of his movies, I can honestly say that I've never been let down. I've learned by now that any movie with Edward Norton will be worth my time.Philip Seymour Hoffman lives up to expectations of him as a supporting role. Innocent and naive, Elinsky is the honest American who believes in everyone. His innocence is clouded by his lack of confidence and self-image.Does anyone else wonder why the upper-class, white male, stock trader (Pepper) is the only one who takes a risk that has a positive outcome? At the same time, this is the only character that I hated throughout the movie. He makes all of the good points about Monty, he's the one whose conscience makes him feel partially responsible for Monty's downfall. Yet, for some reason, I despised him.I can't write a review on this movie without mentioning the music. I absolutely find this music, composed by Terence Blanchard, perfectly suited to the mood of each scene. As a big fan of movie scores, I will be sure to purchase this one.The September 11th references are hit a little hard and I don't know that it was necessary to include it all. However, as the first film shot in NYC after 9/11, it had an obligation to fulfill.I am very satisfied with the ending. I don't like movies to make a completed path. I like to have an open end that leaves me to think back through the whole movie to try to figure it out. The thing is, there isn't anything to figure out. The point is that anything could've happened. It is about how we deal with the obstacles that come our way due to the choices we make.Excellent film. 5 of 4 stars.
25th Hour, A Film With Sway!
posted on 30 May 2009For myself, watching 25th Hour was sort-of like taking a palm reading. Noticing one line, representative of a life-path, stretches out long and far, while another line branches off and stops short in the middle of your palm. You question which life path will you take, and which are you currently on now. Are you one the short one or the long one? You question the various choices and decisions that you made in the past, and which life-line have those choices and decisions ultimately lead you down. In a round-about way, the three characters in Spike Lee's 25th Hour are struggling with these same kind of questions. Based on a novel by David Benioff, the film is essentially three people struggling with the choices that they have made in their past, and the choices they are to make in the future -- and which path will it ultimately lead them down.Edward Norton stars as Monty Brogan, a man whose life decision, becoming a drug dealer, has left him facing a seven year prison term, "...with 84 days off with good behaviour." It's the morning before, and Monty has twenty-five hours left to examine his life, bond with his closest friends, say goodbye to family, find a home for his dog, and figure out a way to survive in the joint. At one point, Monty's friend refers to his incarceration, as "...going to hell and never coming back," and the audience gets the feeling that it's not just a coy metaphor. If Monty does survive his "time", he will most assuredly not be the person they once knew when he gets out.Even though he has grown distant from them over the years, Monty chooses to spend his remaining hours with his closest friends from childhood, Jacob Elinsky (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Frank Slaughtery (Barry Pepper). Socially and economically, these are two of the most dissimilar people one is likely to see spending time together in a film. Their only real connection is the deeply entrenched devotion they feel to their friend. Jacob is a nerdy English teacher, whose gift for the language, has done little for his social skills. His self-doubt and shame for being born wealthy has left him single, lonely and in a thankless job. He desperately yearns for one of his students, a beautiful and precocious seventeen year old, Mary D'Annunzio (Anna Paquin), but is afraid to act on it, fearful that such a decision will lead to him being fired from his job, or even worse, arrested. Frank, on the other hand, is on the opposite end of the character spectrum, he's a good-looking, rich Wall Street trader, who, unlike, his nebbish friend, has never had a problem with the ladies. Also unlike Jacob, Frank is much more forthright in his feelings about life, and his friend's impending incarceration, "He profited from other's misery and he deserves what he gets," he tells Jacob. Norton's character also has a girlfriend, Naturelle, played by Rosario Dawson, whom he believes might have been the one who sold him out to the police. There's also his father, played by Brian Cox, a retired fireman who owns a bar on Staten Island which caters primarily to fire fighters. Each of these people, in their own way, blames them self for what is happening to Monty.The story propels forward when the three childhood friends gather in a nightclub, with Jacob's student, Mary, and Monty's girlfriend, Naturelle, tagging along. It is what happens in this club, on this night, that provides the core of the movie. The accusations that are made, the favor that is asked, the choices that are acted upon, and the truth that is revealed, will stay with these characters long after the 25th hour has widdled and gone away. Will these friends be willing to enact Doyle's Law, in a figurative sense, and save Monty Brogan, the symbolic beaten dog?25th Hour is also memorable for grappling openly with the aftermath of September 11th. Lee skillfully immerses it into the subtext of the story. Referenced in pictures of fire fighters who lost their lives at the World Trade Center, which adorn the walls of the local sports bar and the uptown offices of the traders; to the mention of Bin Laden in a particularly biting commentary by Monty; to Frank Slaughtery's defiant refusal to move from his apartment, which sits overlooking the ruins of the Twin Towers. Director Spike Lee, never known for being subtle, thrusts these images, and his obvious anger about it, into the viewers lap and compels them to deal with it. Also memorable is the venomous diatribe by Norton into a bathroom mirror, where he verbally attacks every group in New York regardless of ethnicity, sexual preference or socioeconomic standing. Not even the church or JC himself, is safe from his tirade, which ends when Monty realizes the only person he has to blame for his predicament, is the one staring back at him in the mirror.The whole film plays in a subdued, almost depressing, tone. There are no laughs to be had, no falsely engineered moments where the characters break bread, and cry, and get all remorseful -- none of that. We feel as Monty feels: perplexed, distressed, unsure of those things to come and angry for how he happened to arrive at this place, and moment, in his life -- his last 25 hours.
Spike Lee lets his actors shine in the 25th Hour.
posted on 04 May 2009This is one of Spike Lee's best films. Maybe his best. And the reason it's so good is because this is an actors film. Spike stands back and lets the actors do their job. And this cast is phenomenal. The standouts being Norton, Pepper, and especially Anna Paquin.The story is a simple one written by David Benioff based on his book. Monty (Edward Norton) is a convicted small time drug dealer spending his last day of freedom with his best friends Slattery (Barry Pepper in a career making role) and Jakob (Philip Seymour Hoffman). That's it. Pretty much.There are some subplots. Who turned Monty in? His girlfriend Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) or a member of his mob connections? There is also a wonderful performance by Brian Cox as Monty's father.But the real joy of this film is the subplot between Hoffman's Jakob, a high school teacher and Anna Paquin's character of Mary, his student. Paquin proves that she's arguably the best actress of her generation with one of the most hilarious and sexy performances of the year. The scenes between Hoffman and Paquin are a delight and are reason alone to see this film.There has also been talk about how Lee incorporates 9/11 into this film. But it's not intrusive. The film takes place after the terrorist attack. Lee doesn't exploit nor ignore this fact.See this film. It is flawed but it is also at times brilliant. And if you are a fan of acting, then you must see this. Look for the names of Edward Norton, Barry Pepper, possibly Philip Seymour Hoffman and especially Anna Paquin to be mentioned for major acting awards.
Once more the guts
posted on 04 May 2009SPOILERS AHEADWithout a doubt, already one of the best movies of the year. If Edward Norton is overwhelming, the supporting cast nearly upstages him, and director Lee shines with rarely-seen humanity, maturity and epic sensibility. And you shall be wrong if you think this movie is its main plot. That's just a pretext. After reading a comment on Empire magazine that helped clear things up, I understood finally the real intentions of this work: a depiction of the traumatized post-9/11 America. Actually, Norton (the USA) lives under the weight of a past without a notion of the consequences of his acts, and now, when he is in the verge of paying for his errors, he can no longer blame his girfriend (the third world) and lets his soviet ex-allies (failing superpower) to fight amongst themselves, while being advised by his closest friends: a teacher (cultural heritage), a yuppie (economic power) and his irish father (the hands that built america). On the final reel, the american dream is scrutinized bit by bit, piece by piece, model by model. But it is only a dream - the final shot is one of Edward Norton living his reality: a reality made of near-breakdown, sodomy and suicide thoughts. That's the post-september eleven USA. Its plot (which is just an excuse), may be considered superfluous, but the gut feeling of being grabbed by a movie (specially in that disco scene) is only achieved when the filmic sense is strong. And Spike Lee knows very well which buttons to push in order to leave the audience gaping in awe, aided by Rodrigo Prieto's magnificent cinematography and Terence Blanchard's powerful score. After the dreamy basketball poem of "He Got Game" and the visceral social study of "Summer of Sam", Spike Lee suceeds again and establishes himself as one of the key filmmakers of our time.
Ten out of what?
posted on 24 Apr 2009Well... 10 out of 10. I only gave Citizen Kane this kind of ranking, the absolute thumb up! I'm not saying this movie reaches Citizen Kane's majesty, but... what d'ya expect these days? The world's finally achieving European philosophy about hating hate... You see Bowling For Columbine, and you saw S. Penn's The Pledge... These movies show we're twisted people in many ways, but you feel so negative when you leave the theater, you feel sad for the human race and its behaviour. Well, Lee's latest movie is really positive, it shows the best of us. It shows how you can live your last 24 hours before the most important hour, the one you'll have to start from null, from point blank... No judgement on a single character, you'll understand it when you'll be really sorry for the traitor... You'll be really sorry when you understand that some people never betrayed the main character... You'll be sorry, because Spike is the nowadays leader in defining characters, so your expectations will be screwed, and you'll be sorry, and glad. Is very hard to explain it without spoilering. But you'll find yourself very close to tears, and you will never get into a big cry, because you won't be able to put the blame on anyone, there's no god over those characters, they chose what they are... This is the biggest achievement in Lee's career: You know all the characters you could tell anything about them, because you really understand them, and you sympathize with all of them. Most of all i loved Mr. Lloyd, the dog, i'm a f***ing animalist, but Mr. Cox gets a real 11/10 for his outstanding performance, while all actors deserve 5 oscars in the living room... And for most of them you already knew they're great. I gave a ten because I don't know if I'll be able to find such a work in my life. I don't expect too much from the future, i tought Clockers was it, for Spike. I'm lucky I was so wrong. I'm sorry, I'm glad. I'd say i'd avoid such a rethoric start as the lasers and Ground Zero for a movie, but i guess the whole 2 hours of the film get those things straight in their message. We're people, and people act like they do, and who's to judge? Peace, guys... And real peace deserves a big 10!!!!
Don't blame Spike Lee for the "inconsistencies"
posted on 20 Apr 2009First of all, this was a good movie. I'm sure everyone will havedifferent reactions but this movie will affect you in some way, makeyou think. Some people have complained that they don't any feel sympathyfor the characters. Well, guess what? That's life. There are peoplein life who we don't always feel sympathy for. But that's no reasonwhy we shouldn't watch a movie about them.Now, many of you have complained about the "F-every race"monologue and the dream sequence at the end. You say this istypical Spike Lee throwing in his own editorial voice out ofnowhere. Well for your information, both those scenes are taken straightfrom the novel this movie was based on. So stop complaining.If you haven't seen the movie, I recommend it.
good film. wouldnt buy, but worth renting to see.
posted on 18 Apr 2009I must admit, i'm not really a fan of Spike Lee's films, yet I am a fan of Edward Nortons films so i had to check this out anyways. I thought the storyline was great, a man dealing with his complications in life before a jail term.
I reccomend this if you are looking for a movie to watch when ya cant think of anything else... Oh yeah, the ending was great. best part of the film, 2 thumbs up to spike lee on that.
Wow
posted on 08 Apr 2009WARNING: POSSIBLE SPOILERSThis is one of those movies in which the meaning is not superficially obvious. I've heard and read many a comment that the ending was "bad" or "distasteful." I didn't think it was so, and in fact many would agree that the ending would've been ruined had it not been for the last scene.Overall, a well put-together film. Excellent acting on the part of Norton and company. The characters were well-developed and easy to follow. On the downside was the plot and some of the dialogue, which at times seemed futile and empty.However, the message was clear: reality IS reality. You do the crime, you do the time. This movie is about a man who in 24 hours comes to face reality, who goes from the man who recounts blasphemies to the world in front of a mirror, to a man who blasphemies only himself. Additionally, this movie is about demoralization: how people become demoralized: how things such as money, greed, and lust lead people to do things that they shouldn't. I believe the example with the English teacher supports this solidly. Even Monty himself, who was drawn into trouble by his greed, stands in support of this hypothesis. I would recommend this movie to anyone who could understand its complexities, but I believe they could've done a better job with it. I give it a 5.5
A powerful hour
posted on 21 Mar 2009I'll keep this short. Of course a big part of this film is about American society and 9/11. For me, I´m not American, it worked really as a powerful frame for this very human and touching story. It's rare that you see so real and believable characters. I was often fascinated by how true they all seemed. I was especially taken by Barry Peppers performance. I've seen most of the Spike Lee joints, some I've liked, some are okay, some I didn't really like(Summer of Sam). This one I love. 9 out of 10. This comment was not supposed to be longer but it's supposed to be at least 10 lines so I had to add some extra words. So I'll end by mentioning "In America" which is another powerful story built inside the American society, the American Dream.
Powerful and complex.
posted on 30 Aug 2009This work is an amazing blend of drama, mystery and social commentary, typical of Spike Lee's films. Don't listen to play-haters, Spike has done it again. Ed Norton is in the foreground but the entire cast makes this theme work. Listen carefully to the dialogue and watch carefully the player interaction. There is a lot underneath the surface of this excellent film. 9 out of 10.