25th Hour
A man has one day to put his life in order before a long stretch in prison in this drama directed by Spike Lee. Monty Brogan (Edward Norton) is a man who came from a working class family in New York. Monty's best friends Jacob (Philip Seymour Hoffman) and Slaughtery (Barry Pepper) went on to distinguished careers as, respectively, a high school teacher and a bonds trader, but Monty took a different path and began dealing drugs. While Monty's trade has made him plenty of money, it hasn't brought him much respect from his family and friends, and while Jacob and Slaughtery have stayed in touch, Monty's lifestyle has led them to keep their distance. One night, Monty is relaxing at home with his girlfriend Naturelle (Rosario Dawson) when the police show up; Monty is arrested, and after a trial he's sentenced to seven years in prison. On his last day of freedom before he goes to jail, Monty tries to make amends with his father (Brian Cox) and goes out on the town with Jacob and Slaughtery. With both of his friends facing emotional crises of their own, Monty finds himself wondering where his life took a wrong turn and if there's any way left to redeem himself. Along the way, Monty begins to suspect that Naturelle may have turned him in, and he has to deal with Kostya Novotny (Tony Siragusa), an ill-tempered drug supplier who has unfinished business with him. 25th Hour was scripted by David Benioff, who adapted the story from his novel of the same name. more..
Director: Spike Lee
Starring: Edward Norton, Barry Pepper,Philip Seymour Hoffman, Rosario Dawson, Anna Paquin
The result is a film of sadness and power, the first great 21st century movie about a 21st century subject.
The film is unusual for not having a plot or a payoff.
Lee, as he did in ''Malcolm X'' and ''Clockers,'' makes his hero's dread palpable, and though 25th Hour lacks the glittering brilliance of those films, I was held by the toughness and pity of Lee's gaze.
Lee has created that rarity in filmmaking: a movie we need, right now.
In a multiplex filled with empty New Year vessels (take that, Kangaroo Jack), this holdover grabs you hard.
Spike Lee
Berlin International Film Festival (2003)
Best Film
Black Reel Awards (2003)
Best Screenplay
Boston Society of Film Critics Awards (2002)
Best Score
Central Ohio Film Critics Association (2003)
Best Original Score - Motion Picture
Golden Globes (2003)
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