Barnes & Noble

With this superb, gritty urban drama, controversial director Spike Lee proves again that, for all his thematic affectations, he's a formidable talent with a unique vision. 25th Hour, adapted by David Benioff from his own highly acclaimed novel, is perhaps Lee's most accessible film to date, and it boasts some remarkable performances. Edward Norton is perfectly cast (and quite believable) as Monty Brogan, an upscale New York drug dealer to whom we are introduced just one day before he's to begin a seven-year sentence in an upstate prison. Within 24 hours he has to say goodbye to the people he cares about most: his Puerto Rican girlfriend (Rosario Dawson), his tavern-owning dad (Brian Cox), and his childhood best friends (Philip Seymour Hoffman and Barry Pepper). Lee's peripatetic camera follows Monty throughout his last day of freedom, during which time he ponders the significance of his ill-advised actions and reevaluates the choices he's made. Like most of the director's films, 25th Hour is a quintessential New York story, and Lee's fascination with -- and affection for -- his hometown is apparent in every scene, including several that refer to the events of September 11, 2001. But at bottom this movie is a character study, and without Norton's incisive interpretation of Monty Brogan the film wouldn't be nearly as successful. Norton succeeds in making his street-smart drug dealer a sympathetic character, and we predict you'll remember the bitter rant Monty delivers on the eve of his incarceration. Hoffman makes the most of a muted character, and Pepper really scores as Monty's smug stockbroker friend, who exhibits little sympathy for the convicted dealer but loyally sees him off. Dawson, heretofore underutilized in such mainstream fodder as Josie and the Pussycats and The Adventures of Pluto Nash, delivers her best performance to date as the girlfriend, Naturelle, and Cox has a fine supporting turn as the father. Lee's direction is virtually unerring; he perfectly captures the essence of every scene, and for once he seamlessly integrates photography, editing, production design, and music. Poignant and plaintive, 25th Hour ranks at the top of Lee's oeuvre. Ed Hulse

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All Movie Guide

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. Mark Deming

Entertainment Weekly

Lee, as he did in Malcolm X and Clockers, makes his hero's dread palpable...I was held by the toughness and pity of Lee's gaze. Owen Gleiberman

Village Voice

Held together in the vise of a powerful script. J. Hoberman

San Francisco Chronicle

The first great 21st century movie about a 21st century subject. Mick LaSalle

Product Details

• UPC: 786936218497
• Source: WALT DISNEY VIDEO
• Region Code: 1
• Aspect Ratio: Cinemascope (2.35:1)
• Presentation: Wide Screen
• Sound: THX-Supervised Mastering, Dolby Digital Surround, Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
• Language: English, Français
• Time: 2:15:00
• Sales Rank: 14,692

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